78R1204 BDH-D

By:  Grusendorf                                                   H.B. No. 1133



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to free textbooks for private school students.                       
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 31.0011 to read as follows:
	Sec. 31.0011.  FREE TEXTBOOKS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS. 
(a)  In this section, "private school" has the meaning assigned by 
Section 39.033.
	(b)  On request, the State Board of Education shall provide 
free textbooks to:
		(1)  a private school student; or                                      
		(2)  a private school applying on behalf of a student 
enrolled at the school.
	(c)  A private school may apply for free textbooks under 
Subsection (b)(2) only under a written agreement between the 
student and the school.
	(d)  The board may provide a free textbook under this section 
only if the textbook is adopted by the board as part of the textbook 
program described by this chapter.
	(e)  Section 31.104 applies to a textbook issued under this 
section, except that a student who receives a textbook directly 
from the board shall return the textbook to the board.
	(f)  The board shall adopt an application form that must be 
used to receive free textbooks under this section.
	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.