By:  Eissler                                                      H.B. No. 2823



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to individual transition plans for certain students 
receiving special education services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 29.011(a), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	[(a)]  The commissioner [Texas Education Agency, the Texas 
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and the Texas 
Rehabilitation Commission] shall [develop, agree to, and] by rule 
adopt procedures for compliance with federal requirements relating 
to transition [a memorandum of understanding that establishes the 
respective responsibilities of each agency for the provision of] 
services for [necessary to prepare] students who are enrolled in 
special education programs under this subchapter [for a successful 
transition to life outside of the public school system].  The 
procedures must specify the manner in which a student's admission, 
review, and dismissal committee must consider, and if appropriate, 
address the following issues in the student's individualized 
education program:
		(1)  appropriate student involvement in the student's 
transition to life outside the public school system;
		(2)  if the student is younger than 18 years of age, 
appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition;
		(3)  if the student is at least 18 years of age, 
appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition, if 
the parent is invited to participate by the student or the school 
district in which the student is enrolled;
		(4)  any postsecondary education options;                              
		(5)  a functional vocational evaluation;                               
		(6)  employment goals and objectives;                                  
		(7)  if the student is at least 18 years of age, the 
availability of age-appropriate instructional environments;
		(8)  independent living goals and objectives; and                      
		(9)  appropriate circumstances for referring a student 
or the student's parents to a governmental agency for services.
	SECTION 2.  Sections 29.011(b)-(e), Education Code, are 
repealed.            
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 4.  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.