By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 617


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of public school transportation systems.            
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 34.007, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  In establishing and operating the transportation 
system, the county or school district board:
		(1)  shall employ school bus drivers certified in 
accordance with standards and qualifications adopted by the 
Department of Public Safety; and
		(2)  may allow a parent to designate one of the 
following locations [a child-care facility, as defined by Section 
42.002, Human Resources Code,] instead of the child's residence as 
the regular location for purposes of obtaining transportation under 
the system to and from the child's school:
			(A)  a child-care facility, as defined by Section 
42.002, Human Resources Code; or
			(B)  the residence of a grandparent of the child.                     
	SECTION 2.  Subsection (k), Section 42.155, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(k)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
the commissioner may not reduce the allotment to which a district or 
county is entitled under this section because the district or 
county provides transportation for an eligible student to and from 
a child-care facility, as defined by Section 42.002, Human 
Resources Code, or a grandparent's residence instead of the 
student's residence, as authorized by Section 34.007, if the 
transportation is provided within the approved routes of the 
district or county for the school the student attends.
	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.