By: Naishtat, Raymond (Senate Sponsor - Ellis) H.B. No. 3616

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2011; May 5, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Administration; May 19, 2011, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 19, 2011, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3616 By: Uresti

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to designating October as Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 662, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 662.109 to read as follows:

Sec. 662.109. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES HISTORY AND AWARENESS MONTH. (a) October is Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month to:

(1) increase public awareness of the many achievements of people with disabilities;

(2) encourage public understanding of the disability rights movement; and

(3) reaffirm the local, state, and federal commitment to providing equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.

(b) Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate celebration and activities to promote respect for and better treatment of people with disabilities in this state.

(c) Each public school may:

(1) elect to observe Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month; and

(2) determine the appropriate activities by which the school observes Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

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