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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a grant available to school districts to provide |
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services to students with disabilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.018 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.018. SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANT. (a) From funds |
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appropriated for the purposes of this section, federal funds, or |
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any other funds available, the commissioner shall make grants |
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available to school districts to assist districts in covering the |
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cost of educating students with disabilities. |
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(b) A school district is eligible to apply for a grant under |
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this section if: |
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(1) the district does not receive sufficient funds, |
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including state funds provided under Section 42.151 and federal |
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funds, for a student with disabilities to pay for the special |
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education services provided to the student; or |
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(2) the district does not receive sufficient funds, |
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including state funds provided under Section 42.151 and federal |
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funds, for all students with disabilities in the district to pay for |
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the special education services provided to the students. |
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(c) A school district that applies for a grant under this |
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section must provide the commissioner with a report comparing the |
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state and federal funds received by the district for students with |
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disabilities and the expenses incurred by the district in providing |
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special education services to students with disabilities. |
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(d) Expenses that may be included by a school district in |
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applying for a grant under this section include the cost of training |
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personnel to provide special education services to a student with |
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disabilities. |
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(e) A school district that receives a grant under this |
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section must educate students with disabilities in the least |
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restrictive environment that is appropriate to meet the student's |
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educational needs. |
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(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to |
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administer this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |