83R9023 CAS-D

By: Allen H.B. No. 3003

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to school district programs to assist students in making the transition back to school after certain prolonged placements outside of school.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.921 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.921. PROGRAM TO ASSIST STUDENT TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER PROLONGED PLACEMENT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. (a) This section applies to the following facilities:

(1) a disciplinary alternative education program;

(2) a juvenile justice alternative education program;

(3) a residential program or facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, a juvenile board, or any other governmental entity;

(4) any residential treatment center; and

(5) a public or private hospital.

(b) Each school district shall establish and provide a program to assist district students in making the transition back to school after being in a facility listed under Subsection (a) for a period equivalent to 30 instructional days or more during the school year. The program must include development and implementation of a personalized transition service plan for each student who has been absent from school as described by this subsection. The principal of the school the student attends following the absence shall designate one or more appropriate school employees to develop the plan. To the greatest extent practicable, the plan must be developed in consultation with the student and the student's parent or person standing in parental relation to the student. To the extent appropriate for a particular student, the plan must include:

(1) consideration of the best educational placement for the student;

(2) provision of counseling, behavioral management assistance, or academic assistance by the school based on considerations described by Subsection (c) and the student's academic, school reentry, and career and employment goals; and

(3) assistance concerning access to community mental health or substance abuse services.

(c) A transition service plan under Subsection (b) must, to the greatest extent practicable, take into consideration any relevant aspect of the student's medical or psychological condition and any education or medical or other treatment the student has received while at a facility listed under Subsection (a). A school employee shall request the parental consent necessary to obtain information for purposes of this subsection.

(d) As soon as a facility listed under Subsection (a) has determined the date of a student's release from the facility, the facility shall give notice of that date to the school district in which a student intends to attend school following release. The agency shall give annual written notice to each facility of the facility's duty under this subsection. This subsection applies only to a student subject to compulsory attendance requirements under Section 25.085.

SECTION 2. This Act applies to absences from public school beginning with the 2013-2014 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, 2013.