BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1926

By: Hull

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1926 repeals Section 29.050, Education Code, which sets an expiration date of September 1, 2024, for the supplemental special education services program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.