SRC-AMY S.B. 617 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 617 78R3821 KKA-DBy: Shapleigh Education 3/24/2003 As Filed DIGEST 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. As proposed, 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. This bill provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 34.007(b), 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. SECTION 2. Amends Section 42.155(k), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.