80R4777 CAE-D

By: Watson S.B. No. 1491

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a grant available to school districts to provide services to students with disabilities.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.018 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.018. SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANT. (a) From funds appropriated for the purposes of this section, federal funds, or any other funds available, the commissioner shall make grants available to school districts to assist districts in covering the cost of educating students with disabilities.

(b) A school district is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if:

(1) the district does not receive sufficient funds under Section 42.151 for a student with disabilities to pay for the services provided to the student; or

(2) the district does not receive sufficient funds under Section 42.151 for all students with disabilities in the district to pay for the services provided to the students.

(c) A school district that applies for a grant under this section must provide the commissioner with a report comparing the state funds received by the district for students with disabilities and the expenses incurred by the district in providing services to students with disabilities.

(d) Expenses that may be included by a school district in applying for a grant under this section include the cost of training personnel to provide services to a student with disabilities.

(e) A school district that receives a grant under this section must educate students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate to meet the student's educational needs.

(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.