Amend CSSB 8 (senate committee report) in SECTION 2.002 of the bill, adding Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as follows:
(1) In added Section 29.355, Education Code (page 11, between lines 49 and 50), insert the following:
(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and subject to Section 29.356(b-1), a child is eligible to participate in the program if the child:
(1) meets the qualifications under Subsection (a)(1);
(2) attended private school on a full-time basis for the preceding school year; and
(3) is a member of a household with a total annual income that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
(2) In added Section 29.356, Education Code (page 12, between lines 10 and 11), insert the following:
(b-1) This subsection applies only to children who are eligible to participate in the program under Section 29.355(a-1). Not more than 10 percent of available positions in the program may be provided to children to whom this subsection applies. Each year, the comptroller shall notify each certified educational assistance organization regarding the number of children to whom this subsection applies that the organization may accept for participation in the program for that year. In accepting children to whom this subsection applies to participate in the program, a certified educational assistance organization shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that the organization accepts an equivalent number of children from each region of this state.