78R8151 BDH-D

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 by rule [develop, agree to, and by 
rule] adopt procedures for compliance with 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 at least 14 years of 
age and not older than 21 years of age 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 should address in the student's 
individualized education program any federal requirements, 
including:
		(1)  appropriate parent and student involvement in the 
student's transition to life outside the public school system;
		(2)  any postsecondary education options;                              
		(3)  a functional vocational evaluation;                               
		(4)  employment goals and objectives;                                  
		(5)  if the student is at least 18 years of age, 
age-appropriate instructional environments;
		(6)  independent living goals and objectives; and                      
		(7)  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repealed.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.