By: Patterson, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 725
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 6, 2021;
  April 8, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Education; May 10, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 10, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the eligibility of certain children who are or were in
  foster care for free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as Jace's Law.
         SECTION 2.  Section 29.153(b), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
  class under this section if the child is at least three years of age
  and:
               (1)  is unable to speak and comprehend the English
  language;
               (2)  is educationally disadvantaged;
               (3)  is homeless, regardless of the residence of the
  child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or
  other person having lawful control of the child;
               (4)  is the child of an active duty member of the armed
  forces of the United States, including the state military forces or
  a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active
  duty by proper authority;
               (5)  is the child of a member of the armed forces of the
  United States, including the state military forces or a reserve
  component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while
  serving on active duty;
               (6)  is or ever has been in:
                     (A)  the conservatorship of the Department of
  Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held
  as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
                     (B)  foster care in another state or territory, if
  the child resides in this state; or
               (7)  is the child of a person eligible for the Star of
  Texas Award as:
                     (A)  a peace officer under Section 3106.002,
  Government Code;
                     (B)  a firefighter under Section 3106.003,
  Government Code; or
                     (C)  an emergency medical first responder under
  Section 3106.004, Government Code.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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