BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3643
81R13408 KKA-F By: Aycock et al. (Van de Putte)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Legislature increased the eligibility for free public school prekindergarten to the children of active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the Armed Forces. Free public kindergarten is also extended to the children of military personnel injured or killed while on active duty.
After the extension of prekindergarten eligibility to military families, the Texas Education Agency received reports of multiple school districts not including stepchildren of military personnel in their definition of children eligible for free prekindergarten.
H.B. 3643 amends current law relating to public school prekindergarten classes by including a stepchild in the definition of "child" and a stepparent in the definition of "parent."
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 29.153, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a) Provides that in this section "child" includes a stepchild and "parent" includes a stepparent.
(a-1) Creates this subsection from existing text.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.