By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 1602

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to information regarding career and employment skills development required to be included with a written statement of an individualized education program developed for certain public school students.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.0113 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.0113. CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. (a) For students eligible to begin transition planning under sections 29.011 and 29.0111, the strategies described in this subsection shall be considered, and, when needed, addressed in the individualized education program. The district shall prepare a supplement to be included with the written statement of the individualized education program developed for the child under Section 29.005(b). The supplement must include information indicating:

(1) the need for and use of age-appropriate transition assessments that collect data on the student's needs, preferences and interests regarding employment, self-determination and self-advocacy, independent living and study skills;

(2) the development of appropriate employment goals and objectives;

(3) the need for and development of independent living goals and objectives;

(4) the need for and use of supplementary aids, services, curricula, and other opportunities to assist the student in developing decision-making skills, and the supports and services needed to foster the student's independence and self-determination, including a supported decision-making agreement under Chapter 1357, Estates Code;

(5) the need for and use of age-appropriate instructional environments, including community settings to prepare the student for postsecondary education or training, or competitive integrated employment;

(6) the development of appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills;

(7) the need to facilitate a referral of a student or the student's parents to a governmental agency for services or public benefits, including a referral to a governmental agency for public benefits available to the student, such as a waiver program established under Section 1915(c), Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)), including supported employment and employment assistance services;

(8) the transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the student in reaching the postsecondary goals developed under this subsection;

(9) the job exploration activities available to and utilized by the student;

(10) the need for a referral to vocational rehabilitation services;

(11) the need to invite the student's vocational rehabilitation counselor to the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting and opportunities for collaboration between the district and vocational rehabilitation; and

(12) training needed for teachers, counselors, parents and other school staff needed to implement the students transition and employment goals.

(b) A student's admission, review, and dismissal committee shall annually review the issues described by Subsection (a) and, if necessary, update the portions of the student's individualized education program that address those issues.

(c) The written statement of the individualized education program must document the decisions of the admission, review, and dismissal committee with respect to issues discussed at each admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting.

(d) Section 29.005(f) and Section 29.0051 do not apply to a supplement prepared for inclusion with a written statement of an individualized education program, as required by this section.

(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. 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.