By: Turner of Harris H.B. No. 2449

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to public education and public school finance matters.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code is amended by adding Section 29.021 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.021 RESIDENTIAL CARE AND TREATMENT FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) From funds appropriated for the purposes of this section or any other funds available, the commissioner shall make grants available to school districts to assist districts in covering the cost of educating students with disabilities residing in care and treatment facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do not reside in the district providing education services.

(b) A school district is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if:

(1) the district does not receive sufficient funds, including state funds provided under Section 42.151 and federal funds, for a student with disabilities residing in care and treatment facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do not reside in the district providing education services to pay for the special education services provided to the student; or

(2) the district does not receive sufficient funds, including state funds provided under Section 42.151 and federal funds, for all students with disabilities in the district residing in care and treatment facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do not reside in the district providing education services to pay for the special education services provided to the students.

(c) A school district that applies for a grant under this section must provide the commissioner with a report comparing the state and federal funds received by the district for students with disabilities residing in care and treatment facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do not reside in the district providing education services and the expenses incurred by the district in providing special education services to students with disabilities.

(d) Expenses that may be included by a school district in applying for a grant under this section include the cost of training personnel to provide special education services to a student with disabilities residing in care and treatment facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do not reside in the district providing education services.

(e) A school district that receives a grant under this section must educate students with disabilities residing in care and treatment facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do not reside in the district providing education services in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate to meet the student's educational needs.

(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.

SECTION 2. 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, 2015.