BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2874

By: Anchia

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Identification cards are necessary to access important resources and services. It has been noted that students do not currently have equal access to state-issued identification cards. Public schools and open-enrollment charter schools are not required to issue identification cards to enrolled students. Furthermore, there is a lack of uniform standards regarding the issuance of student identification cards. H.B. 2874 seeks to remedy these issues by requiring public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to issue student identification cards containing certain identifying information.

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. 2874 amends the Education Code to require a public school district or open-enrollment charter school to issue to each high school student enrolled in the district or school a student identification card that includes the student's name, photograph, and date of birth. These provisions apply beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.