BILL ANALYSIS
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The purpose of this legislation is to promote postsecondary opportunities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). The lack of a centralized inventory of these opportunities limits access to these programs. A centralized list would help ensure that students with IDDs who wish to pursue a postsecondary education would know what programs are available to meet their needs.
H.B. 1807 would require institutions of higher education to submit all institutional and programmatic postsecondary offerings for persons with IDDs to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). THECB would maintain the inventory of these opportunities, make them accessible through its website, and provide it to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). TEA would include the information in the agency’s Transition and Employment Guide, which already is being developed for students enrolled in special education programs and their parents.
H.B. 1807 amends current law to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to maintain an inventory of postsecondary educational programs and services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0663, as follows:
Sec. 61.0663. INVENTORY OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to maintain an inventory of all postsecondary educational programs and services provided for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by institutions of higher education.
(b) Requires THECB to:
(1) post the inventory on the board's Internet website in an easily identifiable and accessible location;
(2) submit the inventory to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for inclusion in the transition and employment guide under Section 29.0112 (Transition and Employment Guide); and
(3) update the inventory at least once every two years.
(c) Requires each institution of higher education to report to THECB, at times prescribed by THECB, all programs and services described by Subsection (a) provided by that institution.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 29.0112(b), Education Code, as follows:
(b) Requires that the transition and employment guide contain information specific to this state regarding:
(1)-(4) Makes no change to these subdivisions;
(5) postsecondary educational programs and services, including the inventory maintained by THECB under Section 61.0663;
(6)-(9) Makes no change to these subdivision.
SECTION 3. Requires THECB to compile the inventory required by Section 61.0663, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2016. Requires TEA to comply with Section 29.0112(b)(5) (relating to information specific to this state regarding postsecondary educational programs and services), Education Code, as amended by this Act, as soon as practicable after the inventory is available.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.