LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 2, 2017

TO:
Honorable Dan Huberty, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2623 by Allen (Relating to requiring school districts to assist students in making the transition back to school after certain prolonged placements outside of school.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Texas Education Code to require each school district to assist a student enrolled in the district in making the transition back to school after being in a disciplinary alternative education program, a juvenile justice alternative education program, a residential program or a facility operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), a residential treatment center, or a public or private hospital for a period equivalent to 30 instructional days or more during the school year. The bill would require each school district to develop and implement a personalized transition service plan for each applicable student. The bill would take effect immediately if passed within necessary voting margins, or September 1, 2017, and would apply beginning in school year 2017-18.

The Texas Education Agency and Texas Juvenile Justice Department indicate any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

The bill would require each school district to assist a student enrolled in the district in making the transition back to school. The bill would require the assistance provided by the district to include development and implementation of a personalized transition service plan for each applicable student. The  bill would require the principal of the school the student attends following the absence to designate one or more appropriate school employees to develop the plan. The bill would specify certain requirements for the plan.

According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), school districts and open-enrollment charter schools would incur costs related to developing the plans. These costs would vary depending on what systems districts and charters already have in place. For example, some districts may need to hire an additional counselor at an annual average salary of $62,581, to facilitate development of plans for students who transfer into the district and to develop and make available resources to support those plans. Alternatively a district might need additional staff if the number of students transferring into the district is high.


Additionally, TEA estimates there would likely be minimal costs to the facilities from which the students are transitioning to provide the required notification to school districts.


Source Agencies:
644 Juvenile Justice Department, 701 Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff:
UP, THo, AM, AW