By: Deuell  S.B. No. 867
         (In the Senate - Filed February 22, 2011; March 1, 2011,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Government
  Organization; March 24, 2011, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 4, Nays 0; March 24, 2011, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to testing accommodations for a person with dyslexia
  taking a licensing examination administered by a state agency.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 54, Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 54.  EXAMINATION ON RELIGIOUS HOLY DAY; EXAMINATION
  ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSON WITH DYSLEXIA
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 54, Occupations Code, is amended by
  adding Section 54.003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.003.  EXAMINATION ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSON WITH
  DYSLEXIA. (a)  In this section, "dyslexia" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 51.970, Education Code.
         (b)  For each licensing examination administered by a state
  agency, the agency shall provide reasonable examination
  accommodations to an examinee diagnosed as having dyslexia.
         (c)  Each state agency shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement this section, including rules to establish the
  eligibility criteria an examinee must meet for accommodation under
  this section.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Each state agency that offers a licensing
  examination shall adopt rules to implement Section 54.003,
  Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1,
  2011.
         (b)  The change in law made by Section 54.003, Occupations
  Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a licensing examination
  offered by a state agency on or after January 1, 2012.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
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