BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1926
	By: Hull et al. (Paxton)
	Education
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program was established by the Texas Education Agency during the COVID-19 school closures and codified by the 87th Texas Legislature through the passage of S.B. 1716.

 

The SSES program provides a one�time grant to students in the special education program through an online account that families can use to purchase special education resources and supplies, such as additional speech therapy or other services to meet the needs of their child. The SSES program has provided important services to students that may otherwise be inaccessible to students with disabilities due to its nature of being supplemental to requirements for the state to provide a free and appropriate public education to these students; however, the SSES program as established by S.B. 1716 is set to expire soon.

 

H.B. 1926 seeks to continue the SSES program and assist students with disabilities by repealing the expiration date of the program. 

 

H.B. 1926 amends current law relating to the expiration date and funding of the supplemental special education services program.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 29.042(c), Education Code, as follows:

 

(c)  Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to set aside an amount set by appropriation, rather than an amount not to exceed $30 million from the total amount of funds appropriated, for each state fiscal year to fund the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program under Section 29.042 (Establishment and Administration of Program).

 

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 29.050 (Expiration), Education Code.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.