By: King of Taylor H.B. No. 3487

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to staff development requirements concerning the instruction of students with disabilities in public schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 21.451, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read as follows:

(g) This subsection applies only to a teacher who provides instruction to a student for whom an individualized education program has been developed under Section 29.005. At least every three years, a teacher to whom this subsection applies is required to complete a minimum number of hours of staff development, as determined by commissioner rule, concerning the instruction of students with disabilities. The staff development must include training relating to:

(A) the natures and needs of students with disabilities;

(B) methods for providing individualized instruction to and assessing students with disabilities; and

(C) behavioral management techniques;

(h) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section and to create a local option three year implementation schedule. At least one-third of teachers requiring training must participate each year during the implementation period or until all required teachers are initially trained. The rules must emphasize the need to provide teachers with adequate staff development to enable them to implement individualized education programs for students with disabilities in an effective manner.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2008-2009 school year.

SECTION 3. 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, 2008.