H.B. 2061 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2061
By: Grusendorf
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Under current law, if disciplinary action is being taken against a
student, when such a student transfers from a charter school to a public
school the charter school is not required to send a copy of a student's
order of disciplinary action to the public school. This can result in a
public school's administration being unaware of some student transferee's
disciplinary problems. However, in similar transfers between public
schools, a copy of the order of disciplinary action is required.  


PURPOSE

House Bill 2061 requires charter schools to send a transferring student's
order of disciplinary action to the enrolling school, just as public
schools are required to do. 

 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant  any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

House Bill 2061 amends the Education Code to require the governing body of
a district or school taking disciplinary action against a student to
provide a copy of the order of disciplinary action to another school or
district if the student subsequently enrolls in another district or
school. The bill authorizes the district or school in which the student
enrolls to continue the disciplinary action under the terms of the order
or allow the student to attend regular classes without completing the
period of disciplinary action. 

The bill defines disciplinary action as a suspension, expulsion, placement
in an alternative education program, or other limitation in enrollment
eligibility of a student by a district or school. The bill defines a
district or school to include an independent school district, a home-rule
school district, a campus or campus program charter holder, or an
open-enrollment charter school. 

The bill repeals Section 37.008(j), Education Code, relating to students
placed in alternative education programs enrolling in another school
district. 
           
This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.       


EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.