BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 391
86R33318 MEW-F	By: Blanco; Guillen (Zaffirini)
	Education
	5/14/2019
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Because electronic materials are often available for use outside of the classroom, many school districts and open-enrollment charter schools across Texas do not allow students to take their textbooks home. Many economically disadvantaged students, however, do not have access to the Internet at home or the devices necessary to view these electronic materials.

H.B. 391 would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide printed book materials for students who have limited or no access to the internet in their home. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.H.B. 391 amends current law relating to student access to public school instructional materials and technology.

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 Section 26.006, Education Code, by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (d), as follows:

(c) Requires a school district or open-enrollment charter school to provide certain instructional materials that the student, on the student's parent's request, takes home, in printed format if the student does not have reliable access to technology at the student's home.

(d) Provides that the requirement under Subsection (c) to provide a student instructional materials in a printed format does not require a school district or open enrollment charter school to purchase printed copies of instructional materials that the district or school otherwise would not purchase. Authorizes a district or school to comply with Subsection (c) by providing the student a printout of the relevant electronic instructional materials.

SECTION 2. Provides that application of Section 26.006, Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with the 2019�2020 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.