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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of a competitive grant program at the |
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Texas Education Agency funding disciplinary programs for at-risk |
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youth. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 37.0082, Education Code, is enacted to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 37.0082. Funding for Innovative Disciplinary At-Risk |
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Youth Program Grants. |
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(a) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the agency |
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shall award grants for funding to conduct youth violence |
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prevention, drug abuse prevention, or delinquency prevention |
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programs for at-risk youth in in-school suspension or disciplinary |
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alternative education program settings. |
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(b) A grant under this section shall be used to develop a |
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case management system for at-risk youth assigned to disciplinary |
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alternative education programs or in-school suspension settings in |
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grades six through twelve. A district may not reduce funding for |
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existing programs supporting students in disciplinary alternative |
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education programs or in-school suspension settings by use of funds |
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awarded under this section. |
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(c) A school district may contract with a private provider, |
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another public school, or a regional education service center for |
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services to implement a grant under this section. A school district |
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must agree to participate in trainings, technical assistance and |
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evaluations, as required by the agency. |
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(d) School districts awarded a grant under this section will |
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implement programs that: |
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(1) target students who demonstrate abusive conduct |
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and behaviors including assault, abuse, aggression, |
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insubordination, bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation of |
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others, destruction of school property, sale or possession of |
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dangerous drugs, and/or possession of weapons; |
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(2) provide services to students selected by campus |
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principals for behavioral intervention; |
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(3) utilize documented violence prevention, drug |
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abuse prevention or delinquency prevention programs, including |
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group skills training, individual behavioral counseling, and |
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community service learning projects; |
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(4) use a case management system for a 12 month period |
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of time with each student to assure a successful transition to the |
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regular education program; and |
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(5) work closely with the student's parents, guardian |
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or other person or agency standing in parental relation to the |
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student or having control of the student under a court order. |
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(e) The agency shall provide for a grant application, review |
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and award process on a competitive basis and may use one or more |
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education service center for that purpose and for training and |
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technical assistance. An education service center participating in |
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a grant proposal with a school district may not participate in |
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activities under this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article 111, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |