SRC-CTC C.S.S.B. 704 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 704
77R11796 CAS-FBy: West, Royce
Education
4/6/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, state law draws a narrow distinction between a school uniform
requirement and a standardized dress code.  If a school district adopts a
school uniform, the school board must designate a source of funding to be
used in providing uniforms for students who are educationally
disadvantaged. However, if a school district adopts a standardized dress
code, it is not required to provide clothing to educationally disadvantaged
students.  C.S.S.B. 704 authorizes a school district to discipline an
educationally disadvantaged student for violation of the district's
standardized dress code if the district has designated a means by which the
student may obtain clothing, without charge, that complies with the dress
code. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 11D, Education Code, by adding Section 11.1621,
as follows: 

Sec. 11.1621.  STANDARDIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT DRESS CODES.  (a) Authorizes
the board of trustees of an independent school district to adopt a
standardized student dress code to improve the learning environment or to
maintain order in the district. 

(b)  Provides that this subsection only applies to a student who is
educationally disadvantaged and whose parent demonstrates to the
satisfaction of the district that the parent is financially unable to
purchase clothing that complies with the standardized district dress code.
Authorizes a district to discipline a student for violating the
standardized dress code only if the district ensures that the student or
the student's parent can obtain clothing that complies with the
standardized dress code without cost to the student of the student's
parent.  Authorizes the district, for that purpose, to take certain
actions. 

(c)  Provides that a decision by a board of trustees under this section
concerning the reasonableness of restrictions on student dress or a
parent's financial inability to purchase clothing that complies with the
standardized district dress code is final and prohibits the decision from
being appealed under Section 7.057. 

 (d)  Defines "parent" and "standardized dress code."

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Amends As Filed S.B. 704 as follows:

 Sec. 11.1621.  STANDARDIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT DRESS CODES.  Authorizes the
board of trustees of an independent school district to adopt a standardized
student dress code for certain purposes.  Authorizes a district to
discipline a student for violating the standardized dress code only if the
district ensures that the student or the student's parent can obtain,
without cost to the student or the student's parent, clothing that complies
with the standardized dress code.  Authorizes the district, for that
purpose, to take certain actions.  Defines "standardized dress code."
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  No change.