By: Collier H.B. No. 3816

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a task force to study the referral and evaluation methods by which students are determined to be eligible for special education resources.

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

SECTION 1. TASK FORCE; STUDY. (a) A task force is established to study the referral and evaluation methods by which students are determined to be eligible for special education resources.

(b) The study must consider:

(1) the relationship between referring students to special education classrooms and funding, including weighted funding formulas and standardized test result-based funding policies;

(2) the utilization of parental notification and involvement at key points in the evaluation and referral process, including but not limited to explanations of evaluation methods to be used in the Full and Individual Initial Evaluation and Review of Existing Evaluation Data;

(3) the methods to effectively promote parental involvement and education in the referral and evaluation process;

(4) the use of each disability category as defined by state law in establishing eligibility for special education resources and the incidence of removal from general education classrooms;

(5) the implementation of non-discrimination policies as set forth in the individuals with Disabilities Education Act in the referral and evaluation process, including but not limited to methods of evaluation used and demographics of current enrollment.

SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2015, the task force shall submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives:

(1) the findings and legislative, policy, and research recommendations of the task force; and

(2) a description of the activities of the task force.

SECTION 3. The task force is abolished on January 1, 2016.

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, 2013.