By: Zaffirini  S.B. No. 54
         (In the Senate - Filed November 9, 2020; March 3, 2021, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education;
  May 21, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 21, 2021,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 54 By:  West
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board regarding best practices for assisting students
  with autism spectrum disorder.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.06694 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.06694.  STUDY AND REPORT ON ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH
  AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. (a)  The board shall conduct a study to
  determine best practices for assisting students with autism
  spectrum disorder who are enrolled at institutions of higher
  education.
         (b)  The study must:
               (1)  identify and track:
                     (A)  the number of students with autism spectrum
  disorder who graduate from secondary schools in this state;
                     (B)  the number of students with autism spectrum
  disorder who are enrolled at institutions of higher education;
                     (C)  the student financial assistance available
  to students with autism spectrum disorder who enroll at
  institutions of higher education; and
                     (D)  the graduation rates of students with autism
  spectrum disorder who enroll at institutions of higher education;
  and
               (2)  identify and examine best practices and program
  modules from public and private institutions of higher education
  outside this state that have achieved successful results in working
  with students with autism spectrum disorder.
         (c)  In conducting the study, the board:
               (1)  shall collaborate with the Texas Education Agency
  regarding specialized programs offered by elementary or secondary
  schools for students with autism spectrum disorder to determine how
  those programs could be replicated at or extended to postsecondary
  institutions; and
               (2)  may not request, require, or use personally
  identifiable student information.
         (d)  Not later than December 1, 2023, the board shall submit
  to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
  of representatives, and the commissioner of education a written
  report that includes the study's findings and any recommendations
  for legislative or other action.
         (e)  This section expires January 1, 2024.
         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.
 
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