1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to high school diplomas for certain veterans.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 28.0251 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 28.0251.  HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FOR CERTAIN VETERANS.
 1-7     (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a school
 1-8     district may issue a high school diploma to a person who:
 1-9                 (1)  is an honorably discharged member of the armed
1-10     forces of the United States;
1-11                 (2)  was scheduled to graduate from high school after
1-12     1940 and before 1951; and
1-13                 (3)  left high school before graduation to serve in
1-14     World War II.
1-15           (b)  A school district may issue a diploma to a person
1-16     otherwise eligible under Subsection (a) notwithstanding the fact
1-17     that the person holds a high school equivalency certificate or is
1-18     deceased.
1-19           (c)  The commissioner by rule shall adopt a form for a
1-20     diploma application to be used by a veteran or a person acting on
1-21     behalf of a deceased veteran under this section.  The commissioner
1-22     shall specify acceptable evidence of eligibility for a diploma
1-23     under this section.
1-24           SECTION 2.  Subsection (a), Section 28.025, Education Code,
1-25     is amended to read as follows:
 2-1           (a)  The State Board of Education by rule shall determine
 2-2     curriculum requirements for the minimum, recommended, and advanced
 2-3     high school programs that are consistent with the required
 2-4     curriculum under Section 28.002.  A person may receive a diploma if
 2-5     the person is eligible for a diploma under Section 28.0251.  In
 2-6     other cases, a [A] student may graduate and receive a diploma only
 2-7     if:
 2-8                 (1)  the student successfully completes the curriculum
 2-9     requirements identified by the board and complies with Section
2-10     39.025(a); or
2-11                 (2)  the student successfully completes an
2-12     individualized education program developed under Section 29.005.
2-13           SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
2-14     school year.
2-15           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-16     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-17     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-18     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-19     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 387 passed the Senate on
         February 14, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
         present, not voting; and that the Senate concurred in House
         amendment on May 14, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0,
         one present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 387 passed the House, with
         amendment, on May 8, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 147,
         Nays 0, two present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                      Date
         _______________________________
                    Governor