78R1481 KKA-D

By:  Burnam                                                       H.B. No. 128



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to programs to reduce truancy in certain school districts.           
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.   Subchapter C, Chapter 25, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 25.096 to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.096.  TRUANCY REDUCTION PROGRAM. (a)  A school 
district shall establish a program to reduce truancy at a district 
campus if the student attendance rate at the campus is below 94 
percent for at least two consecutive months.
	(b)  A district required to establish a program under this 
section shall:
		(1)  operate the program at least until the monthly 
student attendance rate at the campus is at or above 94 percent;
		(2)  designate one or more district employees as 
truancy caseworkers; and
		(3)  require the employee or employees designated under 
Subdivision (2) to:
			(A)  promptly notify parents of students who are 
absent from school without excuse;
			(B)  work cooperatively with parents and students 
to improve student attendance;
			(C)  closely monitor the school attendance of 
students with a history of unexcused absences; and
			(D)  refer students with a history of unexcused 
absences and the parents of those students to any appropriate 
programs or services available to address the underlying causes of 
the failure to attend school.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.