82R4160 KKA-F

By: Shapiro S.B. No. 596

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to transition planning for a public school student receiving special education services.

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

SECTION 1. Section 29.011, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 29.011. TRANSITION PLANNING. The commissioner shall by rule adopt procedures for compliance with federal requirements relating to transition services for students who are enrolled in special education programs under this subchapter. The procedures must:

(1) provide that transition planning begins for a student not later than when the student reaches 14 years of age; and

(2) specify the manner in which a student's admission, review, and dismissal committee must consider, and if appropriate, address the following issues in the student's individualized education program:

(A) [(1)] appropriate student involvement in the student's transition to life outside the public school system;

(B) [(2)] if the student is younger than 18 years of age, appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition;

(C) [(3)] if the student is at least 18 years of age, appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition, if the parent is invited to participate by the student or the school district in which the student is enrolled;

(D) [(4)] any postsecondary education options;

(E) [(5)] a functional vocational evaluation;

(F) [(6)] employment goals and objectives;

(G) social and recreational goals;

(H) [(7)] if the student is at least 18 years of age, the availability of age-appropriate instructional environments;

(I) [(8)] independent living goals and objectives; and

(J) [(9)] appropriate circumstances for referring a student or the student's parents to a governmental agency for services.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.0111 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.0111. TRANSITION INFORMATION. The agency shall develop at least the following indicators under the Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System regarding the preparation by school districts of students enrolled in special education programs for transition to life outside the public school system:

(1) the percentage of students at least 16 years of age with an individualized education program that:

(A) includes coordinated and measurable goals for postsecondary employment or education and training; and

(B) identifies services that can reasonably be expected to enable students to meet those goals;

(2) the percentage of students at least 16 years of age who during the preceding 12-month period had at least one meeting with a representative of a state health and human services agency that provides employment or long-term services and supports for adults with disabilities;

(3) the percentage of students who left secondary school during the preceding 12-month period with individualized education programs in effect on departure who during the 12-month period preceding the date of departure had at least one meeting with a representative of a state health and human services agency that provides employment or long-term services and supports for adults with disabilities; and

(4) the percentage of students who left secondary school during the preceding 12-month period with individualized education programs in effect on departure who during the 12-month period following the date of departure held competitive or supported employment positions for at least six months or attended postsecondary education and training programs for at least one semester.

SECTION 3. Section 29.011, Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.

SECTION 4. 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, 2011.