SRC-TAG, VRA S.B. 35 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 35 78R1624 SLO-DBy: Zaffirini Education 3/5/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf conduct assessments of students without being reimbursed. The failure to reimburse the schools for the cost incurred will hinder their ability to provide this service to both public and charter schools. As proposed, S.B. 35 allows the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf to be reimbursed for performing assessments of students attending public and charter schools. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly gant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 30B, Education Code, by adding Section 30.026, as follows: Sec. 30.026. REIMBURSEMENT FOR ASSESSMENT OF DISTRICT AND OPENENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS. Requires a school district or openenrollment charter school on request to reimburse the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the actual cost of assessing a student not seeking admission to the school who the district or the open-enrollment charter school refers to the school for assessment. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 30C, Education Code, by adding Section 30.058, as follows: Sec. 30.058. REIMBURSEMENT FOR ASSESSMENT OF DISTRICT AND OPENENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS. Requires a school district or openenrollment charter school on request to reimburse the Texas School for the Deaf for the actual cost of assessing a student not seeking admission to the school who the district or the open-enrollment charter school refers to the school for assessment. SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.