BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 256

By: Howard

Public Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent studies have shown that Texas is among the states with the worst outcomes for students who leave school without acquiring a high school diploma and, according to a national organization seeking to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy, parenthood is a leading reason that teen girls drop out of school.

The purpose of the compensatory education allotment is to support students who are educationally disadvantaged and at risk of dropping out of school, including students who are pregnant or are parents. But interested parties express concern that these funds cannot currently be used to cover the costs of child-care services or other services for students who are pregnant or are parents. C.S.H.B. 256 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 256 amends the Education Code to authorize the use of compensatory education allotment funding to provide child-care services or assistance with child-care expenses for a student at risk of dropping out of school because the student is under 26 years of age and is pregnant or is a parent or to pay the costs associated with services other than career counseling and job readiness training provided through a life skills program for student parents.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 256 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 42.152, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-3) to read as follows: (c-3)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), funds allocated under this section may be used to: (1)  provide child-care services or assistance with child-care expenses for students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by Section 29.081(d)(5); or (2)  pay the costs of day care or associated transportation provided through a life skills program in accordance with Sections 29.085(b)(3), (4), and (5).	SECTION 1.  Section 42.152, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-3) to read as follows: (c-3)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), funds allocated under this section may be used to: (1)  provide child-care services or assistance with child-care expenses for students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by Section 29.081(d)(5); or (2)  pay the costs associated with services provided through a life skills program in accordance with Sections 29.085(b)(1) and (3)-(7).
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.