BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1645
85R17578 MK-D	By: Lozano et al. (Zaffirini)
	Education
	5/9/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

While many Texas public school districts have policies that allow students to earn a letter for certain achievements and sports participation, some do not recognize a student's participation in the Special Olympics as a qualifying activity.

H.B. 1645 amends the Education Code to direct a public school district that allows high school students to earn a letter for academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievements to allow a high school student in the district to earn a letter on the basis of the student's participation in a Special Olympics event. H.B. 1645 takes effect in the 2017-2018 school year.

H.B. 1645 amends current law relating to requiring certain school districts to allow students who participate in Special Olympics to earn a letter on that basis.

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 D, Chapter 33, Education Code, by adding Section 33.093, as follows:

Sec. 33.093. RECOGNITION OF PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS. Requires a school district, if a school district allows high school students to earn a letter for academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievements, to allow high school students in the district to earn a letter on the basis of a student's participation in a Special Olympics event.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act apples beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.