81R1851 PAM-D
 
  By: Maldonado H.B. No. 1332
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to responsibility for public school textbooks and
  technological equipment and to failure by students to return
  textbooks or technological equipment.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 31.104(d), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (d)  Each student, or the student's parent or guardian, is
  responsible for each textbook, including an electronic textbook,
  and all technological equipment not returned by the student. A
  student who fails to return all textbooks, including electronic
  textbooks, and technological equipment forfeits the right to free
  textbooks, including electronic textbooks, and technological
  equipment until each textbook, including an electronic textbook,
  and all technological equipment previously issued but not returned
  is paid for by the student, parent, or guardian. As provided by
  policy of the board of trustees or governing body, a school district
  or open-enrollment charter school may waive or reduce the payment
  requirement if the student is from a low-income family. The
  district or school shall allow the student to use textbooks,
  including electronic textbooks, and technological equipment at
  school during each school day. If a textbook, including an
  electronic textbook, or technological equipment is not returned or
  paid for, the district or school may withhold the student's
  records. A district or school may not, under this subsection,
  prevent a student from graduating, participating in a graduation
  ceremony, or receiving a diploma.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
  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, 2009.