BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1597

By: Lambert

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that the timetable to which many members of the military are subject with regard to changes of residency may negatively impact access to school enrollment for their children. It has been suggested that the ability to begin the enrollment process before the actual move would give military families access to more educational options. H.B. 1597 seeks to address these concerns by permitting military parents to submit permanent change of station orders as proof of residency in a public school district or charter school service area.

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. 1597 amends the Education Code to authorize a person whose parent or guardian is an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, to establish residency for purposes of admission to a public school by providing to the district a copy of a military order requiring the parent's or guardian's transfer to a military installation in or adjacent to the district's attendance zone. The bill requires such a person to provide the proof of residence, including residence in a military temporary lodging facility, not later than the 10th day after the arrival date specified in the order for transfer. The bill includes statutory provisions relating to establishment of residency for purposes of admission to a public school district and rules relating to establishment of residency under those provisions among the specified prohibitions, restrictions, requirements, and rules to which an open-enrollment charter school is subject. The bill applies beginning with the 2019‑2020 school year. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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