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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain foster care children to |
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attend prekindergarten classes. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 29.153, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten |
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class under this section if the child is at least three years of age |
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and is: |
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(1) unable to speak and comprehend the English |
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language; |
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(2) educationally disadvantaged; |
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(3) a homeless child, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section |
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11434a [11302], regardless of the residence of the child, of either |
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parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person |
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having lawful control of the child; |
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(4) the child of an active duty member of the armed |
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forces of the United States, including the state military forces or |
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a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active |
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duty by proper authority; or |
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(5) the child of a member of the armed forces of the |
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United States, including the state military forces or a reserve |
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component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while |
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serving on active duty. |
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(g) A child who is eligible for enrollment in a |
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prekindergarten class under Subsection (b)(3) because of the |
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child's placement in foster care or other residential care under |
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the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective |
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Services remains eligible for enrollment regardless of whether the |
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child's status under Subsection (b)(3) changes before or after |
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enrolling in the class. |
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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 the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, 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. |