BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 678

By: Guillen

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that public high school students are allowed to earn a foreign language credit for purposes of high school graduation by completing a dual language immersion program at an elementary school, but that this allowance does not include American Sign Language (ASL). H.B. 678 seeks to remedy this by allowing students to earn one foreign language credit by completing an ASL course at an elementary school.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 678 amends the Education Code to require the State Board of Education, in adopting rules for curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program, to adopt criteria allowing a student to satisfy one of two required language credits in a language other than English by successfully completing a course in American Sign Language at an elementary school.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.