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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of community-based learning centers |
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to serve public school students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.915 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.915. COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING CENTERS. (a) In |
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this section, "center" means a community-based learning center |
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established under Subsection (b). |
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(b) The agency shall establish, in collaboration with |
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faith-based nonprofit organizations, a program for the development |
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and operation of community-based learning centers in various school |
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districts to provide students, including students attending a |
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private school, course, or educational program using funds from an |
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education savings account under the education savings account |
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program, who qualify for compensatory education, as determined by |
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the commissioner, with access to: |
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(1) technology; |
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(2) tutoring services; |
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(3) mentoring services; |
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(4) social and emotional support; |
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(5) outdoor activities; |
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(6) art; |
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(7) sports; and |
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(8) individually designed services and supports that |
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may include treatment services, personal support services, or any |
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other support necessary to improve academic and social outcomes for |
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a student, as determined by a center. |
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(c) The agency shall adopt minimum training and skills |
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requirements that each individual providing services through the |
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center must satisfy. |
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(d) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the agency |
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shall pay the costs for developing and operating a center. The |
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agency shall actively seek federal grants or funds to pay costs |
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associated with the establishment and operation of each center. |
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(e) The agency by rule shall establish a procedure for |
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distributing funds to a school district or other appropriate entity |
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approved by the agency to establish and operate or contract for the |
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operation of a center. |
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(f) In addition to money appropriated by the legislature, |
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the agency may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source |
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for establishing the program. |
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(g) The agency may adopt rules as necessary to implement |
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this section, including: |
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(1) rules regarding an application process and |
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eligibility criteria to develop and operate a center; and |
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(2) rules for determining whether a student attending |
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a private school, course, or educational program using funds from |
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an education savings account qualifies for compensatory education |
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for purposes of this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |