S.B. 617 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 617
By: Shapleigh
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Education Code authorizes a parent to designate a
child care facility, instead of the child's residence, as the regular
location for the purpose of obtaining transportation to and from school.
However, childcare for many children is provided by their grandparents.
S.B. 617 authorizes a parent to designate the residence of a grandparent
as the regular location for transportation to and from school and
prohibits the commissioner of education from reducing the transportation
allotment to which a district or county is entitled if the transportation
to the grandparent's residence is within the district or county approved
routes. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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


ANALYSIS

S.B. 617 amends the Education Code to authorize a county or school
district board to allow a parent to designate a child-care facility or a
grandparent's residence, instead of the child's residence, as the location
from which the child accesses the school bus. 

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.