78R4793 BDH-D

By:  Barrientos                                                   S.B. No. 586



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the exemption from compulsory public school attendance 
for home-schooled children.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 25.086, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  A home-schooled child is exempt under Subsection (a)(1) 
only if the child's parent or guardian provides to the commissioner 
written acknowledgment on a form adopted by the commissioner that 
the parent or guardian accepts complete responsibility for 
adequately teaching the child based on a curriculum designed to 
meet basic education goals.
	SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2004, the commissioner 
of education shall adopt the form described by Section 25.086(c), 
Education Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2004-2005 
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.