By: Talarico, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Whitmire) H.B. No. 30

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2021; May 13, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; May 20, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1; May 20, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to educational programs provided by the Windham School District in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for certain inmates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 19, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 19.0051 to read as follows:

Sec. 19.0051. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. (a) The Windham School District shall develop and provide an educational program that includes the curriculum requirements for a high school diploma under Section 28.025 or a course of instruction that prepares the person for the high school equivalency examination to each person confined or imprisoned in the department who is not a high school graduate and is:

(1) younger than 18 years of age; or

(2) eligible to receive special education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, and younger than 22 years of age.

(b) In developing a person's educational program under Subsection (a), the Windham School District shall consider:

(1) the duration of the person's confinement or imprisonment;

(2) the person's current level of education;

(3) the person's educational goals and preference; and

(4) if applicable, recommendations of the person's admission, review, and dismissal committee.

(c) The board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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