By Coleman                                            H.B. No. 1570
         77R5407 CAS-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to eligibility for public school prekindergarten classes.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Section 29.153(b), Education Code, is amended to
 1-5     read as follows:
 1-6           (b)  A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
 1-7     class if the child is at least three years of age and [is]:
 1-8                 (1)  is unable to speak and comprehend the English
 1-9     language;
1-10                 (2)  has a family income that is not more than 200
1-11     percent of the federal poverty level according to the poverty index
1-12     prepared by the federal Office of Management and Budget
1-13     [educationally disadvantaged]; or
1-14                 (3)  is homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section
1-15     11302, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent
1-16     of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person having
1-17     lawful control of the child.
1-18           SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
1-19     school year.
1-20           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-21     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-22     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-23     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-24     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.