Honorable Dan Huberty, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1669 by King, Tracy O. (Relating to appeals and complaints arising from school laws brought by parents and public school students; authorizing the award of attorney's fees.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would allow the Commissioner of Education to assess attorneys' fees against parents and students who file frivolous petitions under Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 7.057 and removes questions of extracurricular participation from the Commissioner's jurisdiction under the same section, except for parental rights issues under TEC Chapter 26. Additionally, boards would not be required to hear grievances concerning extracurricular participation unless the grievances alleged a violation of parental rights under TEC Chapter 26.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
This bill may have a positive fiscal impact for some districts if the Commissioner orders attorneys' fees to be paid by a parent or student.