By: Jetton H.B. No. 3781
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to special education in public schools, including the
  special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an
  education savings account program for certain children with
  disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for
  the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the
  Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach special
  education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Effective September 1, 2024, Section 8.051(d),
  Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (d)  Each regional education service center shall maintain
  core services for purchase by school districts and campuses.  The
  core services are:
               (1)  training and assistance in:
                     (A)  teaching each subject area assessed under
  Section 39.023; and
                     (B)  providing instruction in personal financial
  literacy as required under Section 28.0021;
               (2)  training and assistance in providing each program
  that qualifies for a funding allotment under Section 48.102,
  48.1021, 48.104, 48.105, or 48.109;
               (3)  assistance specifically designed for a school
  district or campus assigned an unacceptable performance rating
  under Section 39.054;
               (4)  training and assistance to teachers,
  administrators, members of district boards of trustees, and members
  of site-based decision-making committees;
               (5)  assistance specifically designed for a school
  district that is considered out of compliance with state or federal
  special education requirements, based on the agency's most recent
  compliance review of the district's special education programs; and
               (6)  assistance in complying with state laws and rules.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 22, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E.  RETIRED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM
         Sec. 22.151.  RETIRED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER GRANT
  PROGRAM. (a)  From money appropriated or otherwise available for
  the purpose, the commissioner shall establish a grant program to
  reimburse school districts and open-enrollment charter schools for
  the cost of required contributions under Section 825.4092,
  Government Code, for the employment of a retiree hired to:
               (1)  teach special education; or
               (2)  provide services related to special education.
         (b)  A grant received under the program may only be used for
  the cost of required contributions for the employment of a retiree:
               (1)  who retired before September 1, 2022; or
               (2)  as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
         (c)  If the amount of grant requests under the program
  exceeds the amount appropriated or otherwise available for the
  purpose, the commissioner shall proportionately reduce the amount
  of each grant.
         SECTION 3.  Section 29.001, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.001.  IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW
  [STATEWIDE PLAN].  (a)  As the state education agency responsible
  for carrying out the purposes of Part B, Individuals with
  Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1411 et seq.), the
  [The] agency shall develop, and revise [modify] as necessary, a
  comprehensive system to ensure statewide and local compliance
  [design, consistent] with federal and state law related to special
  education[, for the delivery of services to children with
  disabilities in this state that includes rules for the
  administration and funding of the special education program so that
  a free appropriate public education is available to all of those
  children between the ages of three and 21].
         (b)  The comprehensive system [statewide design] shall
  include the provision of services primarily through school
  districts and shared services arrangements, supplemented by
  regional education service centers.
         (c)  The comprehensive system [agency] shall focus on
  maximizing student outcomes and include [also develop and implement
  a statewide plan with programmatic content that includes procedures
  designed to]:
               (1)  rulemaking, technical assistance, guidance
  documents, monitoring protocols, and other resources as necessary
  to implement and ensure compliance with federal and state law
  related to special education [ensure state compliance with
  requirements for supplemental federal funding for all
  state-administered programs involving the delivery of
  instructional or related services to students with disabilities];
               (2)  the facilitation of [facilitate] interagency
  coordination when other state agencies are involved in the delivery
  of instructional or related services to students with disabilities;
               (3)  the pursuit of [periodically assess statewide
  personnel needs in all areas of specialization related to special
  education and pursue] strategies to meet statewide special
  education and related services personnel [those] needs [through a
  consortium of representatives from regional education service
  centers, local education agencies, and institutions of higher
  education and through other available alternatives];
               (4)  ensuring [ensure] that regional education service
  centers throughout the state maintain a regional support function,
  which may include direct service delivery and a component designed
  to facilitate the placement of students with disabilities who
  cannot be appropriately served in their resident districts;
               (5)  [allow the agency to] effectively monitoring
  [monitor] and periodically conducting [conduct] site visits of all
  school districts to ensure that rules adopted under this subchapter
  [section] are applied in a consistent and uniform manner, to ensure
  that districts are complying with those rules, and to ensure that
  annual statistical reports filed by the districts and not otherwise
  available through the Public Education Information Management
  System under Sections 48.008 and 48.009 are accurate and complete;
  and
               (6)  the provision of training and technical assistance
  to ensure that:
                     (A)  appropriately trained personnel are involved
  in the diagnostic and evaluative procedures operating in all
  districts and that those personnel routinely serve on district
  admissions, review, and dismissal committees;
                     (B)  [(7) ensure that] an individualized
  education program for each student with a disability is properly
  developed, implemented, and maintained in the least restrictive
  environment that is appropriate to meet the student's educational
  needs;
                     (C)  [(8) ensure that,] when appropriate, each
  student with a disability is provided an opportunity to participate
  in career and technology and physical education classes[, in
  addition to participating in regular or special classes];
                     (D)  [(9) ensure that] each student with a
  disability is provided necessary related services;
                     (E)  [(10) ensure that] an individual assigned to
  act as a surrogate parent for a child with a disability, as provided
  by 20 U.S.C. Section 1415(b), is required to:
                           (i) [(A)]  complete a training program that
  complies with minimum standards established by agency rule;
                           (ii) [(B)]  visit the child and the child's
  school;
                           (iii) [(C)]  consult with persons involved
  in the child's education, including teachers, caseworkers,
  court-appointed volunteers, guardians ad litem, attorneys ad
  litem, foster parents, and caretakers;
                           (iv) [(D)]  review the child's educational
  records;
                           (v) [(E)]  attend meetings of the child's
  admission, review, and dismissal committee;
                           (vi) [(F)]  exercise independent judgment
  in pursuing the child's interests; and
                           (vii) [(G)]  exercise the child's due
  process rights under applicable state and federal law; and
                     (F) [(11)  ensure that] each district develops a
  process to be used by a teacher who instructs a student with a
  disability in a regular classroom setting:
                           (i) [(A)]  to request a review of the
  student's individualized education program;
                           (ii) [(B)]  to provide input in the
  development of the student's individualized education program;
                           (iii) [(C)]  that provides for a timely
  district response to the teacher's request; and
                           (iv) [(D)]  that provides for notification
  to the student's parent or legal guardian of that response.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.0012 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.0012.  ANNUAL MEETING ON SPECIAL EDUCATION. (a)  At
  least once each year, the board of trustees of a school district or
  the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school shall
  include during a public meeting the discussion of the performance
  of students receiving special education services at the district or
  school.
         (b)  The agency by rule shall adopt a set of performance
  indicators for measuring and evaluating the quality of learning and
  achievement for students receiving special education services at
  the school district or open-enrollment charter school to be
  considered at a meeting held under this section.  The indicators
  must include performance on the college, career, or military
  readiness outcomes described by Section 48.110.
         SECTION 5.  Section 29.003, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.003.  ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.  (a)  The agency shall
  develop specific eligibility criteria based on the general
  classifications established by this section and in accordance with
  federal law [with reference to contemporary diagnostic or
  evaluative terminologies and techniques].  Eligible students with
  disabilities shall enjoy the right to a free appropriate public
  education, which may include instruction in the regular classroom,
  instruction through special teaching, or instruction through
  contracts approved under this subchapter.  Instruction shall be
  supplemented by the provision of related services when appropriate.
         (b)  A student is eligible to participate in a school
  district's special education program [if the student]:
               (1)  from birth through [is not more than] 21 years of
  age if the student [and] has a visual [or auditory] impairment or is
  deaf or hard of hearing and that disability prevents the student
  from being adequately or safely educated in public school without
  the provision of special education services; [or]
               (2)  from three years of age through five years of age
  if the student is experiencing developmental delays as described by
  20 U.S.C. Section 1401(3)(B) and defined by commissioner rule; or
               (3)  from 3 years of age through [is at least three but
  not more than] 21 years of age if the student [and] has one or more
  of the [following] disabilities described by 20 U.S.C. Section
  1401(3)(A) and that disability prevents the student from being
  adequately or safely educated in public school without the
  provision of special education services[:
                     [(A)  physical disability;
                     [(B)  intellectual or developmental disability;
                     [(C)  emotional disturbance;
                     [(D)  learning disability;
                     [(E)  autism;
                     [(F)  speech disability; or
                     [(G)  traumatic brain injury].
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.0055 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.0055.  LOCAL INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL
  DISABILITY AUTHORITY INFORMATION. At the meeting at which a child's
  initial individualized education program is developed, the school
  district shall provide to the child's parent the contact
  information for the local intellectual and developmental
  disability authority for the region in which the district is
  located for use in discussing services or public benefits that may
  provide additional support to the child.
         SECTION 7.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29 Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.0056 to read as follows:
             Sec. 29.0056.  INFORMATION REGARDING STATE SUPPORTED
  LIVING CENTERS.  (a) At an admission, review, dismissal meeting
  when residential placement is discussed, the school district shall
  provide to the child's parent or legal guardian the information
  regarding state supported living centers developed under
  Subsection (b) for use in discussing possible residential options.
         (b)  The Health and Human Services Commission, in
  collaboration with the agency and stakeholders representing the
  full continuum of educational residential placement options, shall
  develop materials to be provided to a parent of a child who may
  qualify for placement in a state supported living center.
         (c)  The agency shall make the materials developed under
  Subsection (b) available for school districts.
         SECTION 8.  Section 29.008, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner shall establish a list of approved
  public or private facilities, institutions, or agencies inside or
  outside of this state that a [A] school district, shared services
  arrangement unit, or regional education service center may contract
  with [a public or private facility, institution, or agency inside
  or outside of this state] for the provision of services to students
  with disabilities in a residential placement.  The commissioner may
  approve either the whole or a part of a facility or program.
         (a-1)  Each contract described by this section [for
  residential placement] must be approved by the commissioner.  The
  commissioner may approve a [residential placement] contract under
  this section only after at least a programmatic evaluation of
  personnel qualifications, costs, adequacy of physical plant and
  equipment, and curriculum content.  [The commissioner may approve
  either the whole or a part of a facility or program.]
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), costs of an
  approved contract for residential placement may be paid from a
  combination of federal, state, and local funds.  The local share of
  the total contract cost for each student is that portion of the
  local tax effort that exceeds the district's local fund assignment
  under Section 48.256, divided by the average daily attendance in
  the district.  If the contract involves a private facility, the
  state share of the total contract cost is that amount remaining
  after subtracting the local share.  If the contract involves a
  public facility, the state share is that amount remaining after
  subtracting the local share from the portion of the contract that
  involves the costs of instructional and related services.  For
  purposes of this subsection, "local tax effort" means the total
  amount of money generated by taxes imposed for debt service and
  maintenance and operation less any amounts paid into a tax
  increment fund under Chapter 311, Tax Code.  This subsection
  expires September 1, 2027.
         SECTION 9.  The heading to Section 29.009, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.009.  PUBLIC NOTICE CONCERNING EARLY CHILDHOOD
  SPECIAL EDUCATION [PRESCHOOL] PROGRAMS [FOR STUDENTS WITH
  DISABILITIES].
         SECTION 10.  Section 29.010, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.010.  GENERAL SUPERVISION AND COMPLIANCE.  (a)  The
  agency shall develop [adopt] and implement a comprehensive system
  for monitoring school district compliance with federal and state
  laws relating to special education.  The monitoring system must
  include a comprehensive cyclical process and a targeted risk-based
  process [provide for ongoing analysis of district special education
  data and of complaints filed with the agency concerning special
  education services and for inspections of school districts at
  district facilities].  The agency shall establish criteria and
  instruments for use in determining district compliance under this
  section [use the information obtained through analysis of district
  data and from the complaints management system to determine the
  appropriate schedule for and extent of the inspection].
         (b)  As part of the monitoring process [To complete the
  inspection], the agency must obtain information from parents and
  teachers of students in special education programs in the district.
         (c)  The agency shall develop and implement a system of
  interventions and sanctions for school districts the agency
  identifies as being in noncompliance with [whose most recent
  monitoring visit shows a failure to comply with major requirements
  of] the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1400 et seq.), federal regulations, state statutes, or
  agency requirements necessary to carry out federal law or
  regulations or state law relating to special education.
         (d)  The agency shall establish a graduated process of
  sanctions to apply to [For] districts that remain in noncompliance
  for more than one year[, the first stage of sanctions shall begin
  with annual or more frequent monitoring visits].  The [Subsequent]
  sanctions shall [may] range in severity and may include [up to] the
  withholding of funds.  If funds are withheld, the agency may use the
  funds to provide, through alternative arrangements, services to
  students and staff members in the district from which the funds are
  withheld.
         (e)  The agency's complaint management division shall
  develop a system for expedited investigation and resolution of
  complaints concerning a district's failure to provide special
  education or related services to a student eligible to participate
  in the district's special education program.
         [(f)  This section does not create an obligation for or
  impose a requirement on a school district or open-enrollment
  charter school that is not also created or imposed under another
  state law or a federal law.]
         SECTION 11.  Effective September 1, 2024, Section 29.014(d),
  Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The basic allotment for a student enrolled in a district
  to which this section applies is adjusted by the tier of intensity
  of service defined in accordance with [weight for a homebound
  student under] Section 48.102 and designated by commissioner rule
  for use under this section [48.102(a)].
         SECTION 12.  Section 29.018, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2026.
         SECTION 13.  Sections 29.022(a), (a-1), (b), (c), (c-1),
  (d), (f), (h), (k), (l), (s), and (t), Education Code, are amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  In order to promote student safety, on receipt of a
  written request authorized under Subsection (a-1), a school
  district or open-enrollment charter school shall provide
  equipment, including a video camera, to the school or schools in the
  district or the charter school campus or campuses specified in the
  request.  A school or campus that receives equipment as provided by
  this subsection shall place, operate, and maintain one or more
  video cameras in special education [self-contained] classrooms and
  other special education settings [in which a majority of the
  students in regular attendance are provided special education and
  related services and are assigned to one or more self-contained
  classrooms or other special education settings for at least 50
  percent of the instructional day], provided that:
               (1)  a school or campus that receives equipment as a
  result of the request by a parent or staff member is required to
  place equipment only in classrooms or settings in which the
  parent's child is in regular attendance or to which the staff member
  is assigned, as applicable; and
               (2)  a school or campus that receives equipment as a
  result of the request by a board of trustees, governing body,
  principal, or assistant principal is required to place equipment
  only in classrooms or settings identified by the requestor, if the
  requestor limits the request to specific classrooms or settings
  subject to this subsection.
         (a-1)  For purposes of Subsection (a):
               (1)  a parent of a child who receives special education
  services in one or more special education [self-contained]
  classrooms or other special education settings may request in
  writing that equipment be provided to the school or campus at which
  the child receives those services;
               (2)  a board of trustees or governing body may request
  in writing that equipment be provided to one or more specified
  schools or campuses at which one or more children receive special
  education services in special education [self-contained]
  classrooms or other special education settings;
               (3)  the principal or assistant principal of a school
  or campus at which one or more children receive special education
  services in special education [self-contained] classrooms or other
  special education settings may request in writing that equipment be
  provided to the principal's or assistant principal's school or
  campus; and
               (4)  a staff member assigned to work with one or more
  children receiving special education services in special education
  [self-contained] classrooms or other special education settings
  may request in writing that equipment be provided to the school or
  campus at which the staff member works.
         (b)  A school or campus that places a video camera in a
  special education classroom or other special education setting in
  accordance with Subsection (a) shall operate and maintain the video
  camera in the classroom or setting, as long as the classroom or
  setting continues to satisfy the requirements under Subsection (a),
  for the remainder of the school year in which the school or campus
  received the request, unless the requestor withdraws the request in
  writing.  If for any reason a school or campus will discontinue
  operation of a video camera during a school year, not later than the
  fifth school day before the date the operation of the video camera
  will be discontinued, the school or campus must notify the parents
  of each student in regular attendance in the classroom or setting
  that operation of the video camera will not continue unless
  requested by a person eligible to make a request under Subsection
  (a-1).  Not later than the 10th school day before the end of each
  school year, the school or campus must notify the parents of each
  student in regular attendance in the classroom or setting that
  operation of the video camera will not continue during the
  following school year unless a person eligible to make a request for
  the next school year under Subsection (a-1) submits a new request.
         (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), video cameras
  placed under this section must be capable of:
               (1)  covering all areas of the special education
  classroom or other special education setting, including a room
  attached to the classroom or setting used for time-out; and
               (2)  recording audio from all areas of the special
  education classroom or other special education setting, including a
  room attached to the classroom or setting used for time-out.
         (c-1)  The inside of a bathroom or any area in the special
  education classroom or other special education setting in which a
  student's clothes are changed may not be visually monitored, except
  for incidental coverage of a minor portion of a bathroom or changing
  area because of the layout of the classroom or setting.
         (d)  Before a school or campus activates a video camera in a
  special education classroom or other special education setting
  under this section, the school or campus shall provide written
  notice of the placement to all school or campus staff and to the
  parents of each student attending class or engaging in school
  activities in the classroom or setting.
         (f)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any person for
  use in placing video cameras in special education classrooms or
  other special education settings under this section.
         (h)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
  not:
               (1)  allow regular or continual monitoring of video
  recorded under this section; or
               (2)  use video recorded under this section for teacher
  evaluation or for any other purpose other than the promotion of
  safety of students receiving special education services in a
  special education [self-contained] classroom or other special
  education setting.
         (k)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement and
  administer this section, including rules regarding the special
  education classrooms and other special education settings to which
  this section applies.
         (l)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  policy relating to the placement, operation, or maintenance of
  video cameras under this section must:
               (1)  include information on how a person may appeal an
  action by the district or school that the person believes to be in
  violation of this section or a policy adopted in accordance with
  this section, including the appeals process under Section 7.057;
               (2)  require that the district or school provide a
  response to a request made under this section not later than the
  seventh school business day after receipt of the request by the
  person to whom it must be submitted under Subsection (a-3) that
  authorizes the request or states the reason for denying the
  request;
               (3)  except as provided by Subdivision (5), require
  that a school or a campus begin operation of a video camera in
  compliance with this section not later than the 45th school
  business day, or the first school day after the 45th school business
  day if that day is not a school day, after the request is authorized
  unless the agency grants an extension of time;
               (4)  permit the parent of a student whose admission,
  review, and dismissal committee has determined that the student's
  placement for the following school year will be in a special
  education classroom or other special education setting in which a
  video camera may be placed under this section to make a request for
  the video camera by the later of:
                     (A)  the date on which the current school year
  ends; or
                     (B)  the 10th school business day after the date
  of the placement determination by the admission, review, and
  dismissal committee; and
               (5)  if a request is made by a parent in compliance with
  Subdivision (4), unless the agency grants an extension of time,
  require that a school or campus begin operation of a video camera in
  compliance with this section not later than the later of:
                     (A)  the 10th school day of the fall semester; or
                     (B)  the 45th school business day, or the first
  school day after the 45th school business day if that day is not a
  school day, after the date the request is made.
         (s)  This section applies to the placement, operation, and
  maintenance of a video camera in a special education
  [self-contained] classroom or other special education setting
  during the regular school year and extended school year services.
         (t)  A video camera placed under this section is not required
  to be in operation for the time during which students are not
  present in the special education classroom or other special
  education setting.
         SECTION 14.  Sections 29.022(u)(3) and (4), Education Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Special education classroom or other special
  education setting" means a classroom or setting primarily used for
  delivering special education services to students who spend on
  average less than 40 percent of an instructional day in a general
  education classroom or setting ["Self-contained classroom" does
  not include a classroom that is a resource room instructional
  arrangement under Section 48.102].
               (4)  "Staff member" means a teacher, related service
  provider, paraprofessional, counselor, or educational aide
  assigned to work in a special education [self-contained] classroom
  or other special education setting.
         SECTION 15.  Section 29.026(i), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (i)  A program selected to receive a grant under this section
  is [The commissioner shall select programs and award grant funds to
  those programs beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.  The
  selected programs are] to be funded for two years.
         SECTION 16.  Section 29.027(d), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  A grant under this section is [The commissioner shall
  select grant recipients and award grant funds beginning in the
  2021-2022 school year.  The grants are] to be awarded for two years.
         SECTION 17.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.029 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.029.  SUPPORTS FOR RECRUITING SPECIAL EDUCATION
  STAFF.  (a)  From funds appropriated or otherwise available for the
  purpose, the agency shall provide grants to school districts and
  open-enrollment charter schools to increase the number of qualified
  and appropriately credentialed special education staff, including
  special education teachers, special education paraprofessionals,
  evaluation personnel, ancillary instruction personnel, and related
  service personnel.
         (b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  that receives a grant under this section shall require each person
  the district or school uses the grant money to assist in becoming
  licensed, certified, or otherwise credentialed as described by
  Subsection (a) to work at the district or school for a period
  established by commissioner rule.
         (c)  The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing the
  period of required employment described by Subsection (b) and any
  other rules necessary to implement this section.
         SECTION 18.  The heading to Subchapter A-1, Chapter 29,
  Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER A-1.  PARENT-DIRECTED [SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION]
  SERVICES FOR STUDENTS RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION Services
  [PROGRAM]
         SECTION 19.  Sections 29.041(2) and (3), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
               (2)  "Supplemental [special education] instructional
  materials" includes textbooks, computer hardware or software,
  other technological devices, and other materials suitable for
  addressing an educational need of a student receiving special
  education services under Subchapter A.
               (3)  "Supplemental [special education] services" means
  an additive service that provides an educational benefit to a
  student receiving special education services under Subchapter A,
  including:
                     (A)  occupational therapy, physical therapy, and
  speech therapy; and
                     (B)  private tutoring and other supplemental
  private instruction or programs.
         SECTION 20.  Sections 29.042(a), (c), and (d) Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The agency by rule shall establish and administer a
  parent-directed [supplemental special education services and
  instructional materials] program for students receiving special
  education services, through which a parent may direct supplemental
  services and supplemental instructional materials for the parent's
  student [students] who meets [meet] the eligibility requirements
  for participation in the program.  Subject to Subsection (c), the
  agency shall provide each student approved as provided by this
  subchapter a grant in accordance with Section 48.305 [of not more
  than $1,500] to purchase supplemental [special education] services
  and supplemental [special education] instructional materials.
         (c)  [The commissioner shall set aside an amount not to
  exceed $30 million from the total amount of funds appropriated for
  each state fiscal year to fund the program under this section.  For
  each state fiscal year, the total amount provided for student
  grants under Subsection (a) may not exceed the amount set aside by
  the commissioner under this subsection].
         [(d)]  The agency shall designate one or more regional
  education service centers to administer the program.
         SECTION 21.  Section 29.045, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.045.  APPROVAL OF APPLICATION; ASSIGNMENT OF
  ACCOUNT.  The [Subject to available funding the] agency shall
  approve each student who meets the program eligibility criteria
  established under Section 29.044 and assign to the student an
  account maintained under Section 29.042(b).  The account may only
  be used by the student's parent to purchase supplemental [special
  education] services or supplemental [special education]
  instructional materials for the student, subject to Sections 29.046
  and 29.047.
         SECTION 22.  Sections 29.046(a) and (b), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Money in an account assigned to a student under Section
  29.045 may be used only for supplemental [special education]
  services and supplemental [special education] instructional
  materials.
         (b)  Supplemental [special education] services must be
  provided by an agency-approved provider.
         SECTION 23.  Sections 29.047(a), (c), (d), and (e),
  Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The agency shall establish criteria necessary for
  agency approval for each category of provider of a professional
  service that is a supplemental [special education] service, as
  identified by the agency.
         (c)  The agency shall provide a procedure for providers of
  supplemental [special education] services to apply to the agency to
  become an agency-approved provider.
         (d)  The agency may establish criteria for agency approval of
  vendors for each category of supplemental [special education]
  instructional materials identified by the agency.
         (e)  If the agency establishes criteria for agency approval
  for a vendor of a category of supplemental [special education]
  instructional materials, the agency shall provide a procedure for
  vendors of that category to apply to the agency to become an
  agency-approved vendor.
         SECTION 24.  Section 29.048, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.048.  ADMISSION, REVIEW, AND DISMISSAL COMMITTEE
  DUTIES.  (a)  A student's admission, review, and dismissal
  committee shall develop a student's individualized education
  program under Section 29.005, in compliance with the Individuals
  with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.),
  without consideration of any supplemental [special education]
  services or supplemental instructional materials that may be
  provided under the program under this subchapter.
         (b)  Unless the district first verifies that an account has
  been assigned to the student under Section 29.045, the [The]
  admission, review, and dismissal committee of a student approved
  for participation in the program shall provide to the student's
  parent at an admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting for
  the student:
               (1)  information regarding the types of supplemental
  [special education] services or supplemental instructional
  materials available under the program and provided by
  agency-approved providers for which an account maintained under
  Section 29.042(b) for the student may be used; and
               (2)  instructions regarding accessing an account
  described by Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 25.  Subchapter A-1, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.0485 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.0485.  DETERMINATION OF COMMISSIONER
  FINAL.  Notwithstanding Section 7.057, a determination of the
  commissioner under this subchapter or Section 48.305 is final and
  may not be appealed.
         SECTION 26.  Section 29.049, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.049.  RULES. The commissioner shall adopt rules as
  necessary to administer the supplemental [special education]
  services and supplemental instructional materials program under
  this subchapter.
         SECTION 27.  Section 29.315, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 29.315.  TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF MEMORANDUM OF
  UNDERSTANDING. The agency [Texas Education Agency] and the Texas
  School for the Deaf shall develop[, agree to, and by commissioner
  rule adopt no later than September 1, 1998,] a memorandum of
  understanding to establish:
               (1)  the method for developing and reevaluating a set
  of indicators of the quality of learning at the Texas School for the
  Deaf;
               (2)  the process for the agency to conduct and report on
  an annual evaluation of the school's performance on the indicators;
               (3)  the requirements for the school's board to
  publish, discuss, and disseminate an annual report describing the
  educational performance of the school;
               (4)  the process for the agency to assign an
  accreditation status to the school, to reevaluate the status on an
  annual basis, and, if necessary, to conduct monitoring reviews; and
               (5)  the type of information the school shall be
  required to provide through the Public Education Information
  Management System (PEIMS).
         SECTION 28.  Section 29.316(c), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  Not later than August 31 of each year, the agency, the
  division, and the center jointly shall prepare and post on the
  agency's, the division's, and the center's respective Internet
  websites a report on the language acquisition of children eight
  years of age or younger who are deaf or hard of hearing.  The report
  must:
               (1)  include:
                     (A)  existing data reported in compliance with
  federal law regarding children with disabilities; and
                     (B)  information relating to the language
  acquisition of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and also
  have other disabilities;
               (2)  state for each child:
                     (A)  the percentage of the instructional day
  [arrangement used with the child, as described by Section 48.102,
  including the time] the child spends on average in a general
  education setting [mainstream instructional arrangement];
                     (B)  the specific language acquisition services
  provided to the child, including:
                           (i)  the time spent providing those
  services; and
                           (ii)  a description of any hearing
  amplification used in the delivery of those services, including:
                                 (a)  the type of hearing amplification
  used;
                                 (b)  the period of time in which the
  child has had access to the hearing amplification; and
                                 (c)  the average amount of time the
  child uses the hearing amplification each day;
                     (C)  the tools or assessments used to assess the
  child's language acquisition and the results obtained;
                     (D)  the preferred unique communication mode used
  by the child at home; and
                     (E)  the child's age, race, and gender, the age at
  which the child was identified as being deaf or hard of hearing, and
  any other relevant demographic information the commissioner
  determines to likely be correlated with or have an impact on the
  child's language acquisition;
               (3)  compare progress in English literacy made by
  children who are deaf or hard of hearing to progress in that subject
  made by children of the same age who are not deaf or hard of hearing,
  by appropriate age range; and
               (4)  be redacted as necessary to comply with state and
  federal law regarding the confidentiality of student medical or
  educational information.
         SECTION 29.  Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER J.  EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
         Sec. 29.351.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Account" means an education savings account
  established under the program.
               (2)  "Child with a disability" means a child who is:
                     (A)  eligible to participate in a school
  district's special education program under Section 29.003; or
                     (B)  covered by Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of
  1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794).
               (3)  "Curriculum" means a complete course of study for
  a particular content area or grade level.
               (4)  "Financial institution" means a bank, credit
  union, savings bank, or savings and loan association organized
  under the laws of this state, the laws of another state, or federal
  law that has its main office or a branch office in this state.  The
  term does not include any institution the deposits of which are not
  insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the
  National Credit Union Administration.
               (5)  "Institution of higher education" and "private or
  independent institution of higher education" have the meanings
  assigned by Section 61.003.
               (6)  "Parent" means a resident of this state who is a
  natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator,
  legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to
  act on behalf of a child.
               (7)  "Program" means the education savings account
  program established under this subchapter.
               (8)  "Program participant" means a child and a parent
  of a child enrolled in the program.
         Sec. 29.352.  PURPOSES.  The purposes of the education
  savings account program are to:
               (1)  improve public schools and overall academic
  performance;
               (2)  promote efficiency;
               (3)  promote and preserve the liberties and rights of
  the people; and
               (4)  increase parental choice in learning
  opportunities and supports.
         Sec. 29.353.  ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.  (a)  The agency
  shall establish and administer an education savings account
  program to provide funding for certain education-related expenses
  of eligible children.
         (b)  The agency shall ensure that information about the
  program is readily available to parents of children with
  disabilities and the public through various sources, including the
  agency's Internet website.  The information made available to
  parents of children with disabilities must include a notice that:
               (1)  states that a private school is not subject to laws
  regarding the provision of educational services in the same manner
  as a public school, and a child with a disability attending a
  private school may not receive the services a child with a
  disability attending a public school is entitled to receive under
  federal and state law;
               (2)  provides information regarding rights to which a
  child with a disability is entitled under federal and state law if
  the child attends a public school, including:
                     (A)  rights provided under the Individuals with
  Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.),
  including:
                           (i)  an individualized education program
  that provides a free and appropriate public education;
                           (ii)  educational services provided in the
  least restrictive environment;
                           (iii)  instruction from certified teachers;
                           (iv)  dispute resolution options Section to
  ensure proper and full implementation of an individualized
  education program;
                           (v)  transition and planning services; and
                           (vi)  supplementary aids and services;
                     (B)  rights provided under Subchapter A; and
                     (C)  other rights provided under federal or state
  law; and
               (3)  provides information regarding the program,
  including:
                     (A)  the operation of an account;
                     (B)  expenses allowed under Section 29.357 and the
  consequences for using money in an account on expenses that are not
  allowed under that section; and
                     (C)  common service offerings.
         Sec. 29.354.  ELIGIBLE CHILD.  (a)  A child is eligible to
  participate in the program if the child:
               (1)  is a child with a disability;
               (2)  is eligible to attend a public school under
  Section 25.001; and
               (3)  meets at least one of the following criteria:
                     (A)  was enrolled in a public school in this state
  for a period of at least six weeks during the preceding or current
  school year;
                     (B)  was required to attend school under Section
  25.085 for a period of less than six weeks during the preceding and
  current school year due to the child's age or nonresidence in this
  state; or
                     (C)  participated in the program during the
  preceding school year.
         (b)  A child who establishes eligibility under this section
  may participate in the program until the earliest of the following
  dates:
               (1)  the date on which the child graduates from high
  school;
               (2)  the date on which the child is no longer eligible
  to attend a public school under Section 25.001;
               (3)  the date on which the child enrolls in a public
  school, including an open-enrollment charter school; or
               (4)  the date on which the child is declared ineligible
  for the program by the commissioner under this subchapter.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), the commissioner shall
  establish a process for, in the least disruptive manner possible:
               (1)  a child participating in the program to cease
  participation and enroll in a public school, including an
  open-enrollment charter school; and
               (2)  a child who previously participated in the program
  and subsequently enrolled in a public school, including an
  open-enrollment charter school, to resume participation in the
  program.
         Sec. 29.355.  ENROLLMENT IN PROGRAM.  (a)  A parent of an
  eligible child may enroll the child in the program for the following
  school year.
         (b)  The commissioner shall by rule create an enrollment
  application for the program and make the enrollment application
  readily available to interested parents through various sources,
  including the agency's Internet website.  An enrollment application
  for the program must be submitted to the commissioner
  electronically.
         (c)  The commissioner shall post on the agency's Internet
  website and provide to each parent who submits an enrollment
  application a publication that describes the operation of the
  program, including:
               (1)  expenses allowed under the program under Section
  29.357;
               (2)  expense reporting requirements; and
               (3)  a description of the responsibilities of program
  participants and the duties of the commissioner under this
  subchapter.
         (d)  The commissioner shall provide to each parent who
  submits an enrollment application a written copy of the notice
  described by Section 29.353(b).  Before the parent may receive
  funding under the program, the parent must sign an acknowledgment
  of receipt and understanding of the notice and return the signed
  acknowledgment to the commissioner.
         Sec. 29.356.  PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM.  (a)  To receive
  funding under the program, a parent of an eligible child must agree
  to:
               (1)  spend funds received through the program only for
  expenses allowed under Section 29.357;
               (2)  notify the commissioner if the child enrolls in a
  public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, not
  later than the 30th day after the date of enrollment;
               (3)  provide to the commissioner information necessary
  to determine the child's eligibility and the amount to which the
  child is entitled under the program;
               (4)  ensure that the child's quality of learning is
  appropriately measured in accordance with Subsection (d) and
  commissioner rule and report the results to the agency; and
               (5)  inform the commissioner if the child graduates
  from high school.
         (b)  The parent of a child participating in the program is
  the trustee of the child's account.
         (c)  The commissioner shall provide annually to each program
  participant the publication provided under Section 29.355(c).
         (d)  The commissioner shall adopt a list of approved
  instruments that allow for a comparison between the quality of
  educational attainment for a child participating in the program and
  for students in other educational placements.  To the extent
  practicable, the list must include nationally norm-referenced
  assessments and assessment instruments adopted under Section
  39.023.  A child's performance on an instrument approved under this
  subsection for measuring a child's quality of learning may not be
  considered in determining the child's eligibility to participate in
  the program.
         Sec. 29.357.  APPROVED EDUCATION-RELATED EXPENSES.  (a)  
  Funds received under the program may be used only for the following
  expenses incurred by a program participant:
               (1)  tuition and fees:
                     (A)  at a private school accredited by an entity
  recognized by the commissioner as an accrediting entity for private
  schools in this state;
                     (B)  at an institution of higher education or a
  private or independent institution of higher education;
                     (C)  for an online educational course or program;
  or
                     (D)  for a program that provides training for an
  industry-based certification;
               (2)  the purchase of textbooks or other instructional
  materials required by a school, institution, course, or program
  described by Subdivision (1) in which the child is enrolled;
               (3)  fees for classes or other educational services
  provided by a public school, including an open-enrollment charter
  school, if the classes or services do not qualify the child to be
  included in the school's average daily attendance;
               (4)  fees for services provided by a private tutor or
  teaching service;
               (5)  fees paid to a vendor for transportation to and
  from school, not to exceed $500 per year;
               (6)  fees for educational therapies or services
  provided by a practitioner or provider;
               (7)  costs of computer hardware and software and other
  technological devices prescribed to facilitate a child's education
  by a physician, therapist, or other licensed service provider;
               (8)  fees for a nationally norm-referenced achievement
  test or examination, an assessment instrument adopted under Section
  39.023, an advanced placement test or similar examination, an
  examination related to college or university admission, or any
  other instrument included on the agency's list under Section
  29.356(d);
               (9)  fees for the management of the participant's
  account charged by a financial institution;
               (10)  costs of breakfast or lunch provided to a child
  during the school day by a private school;
               (11)  the purchase of school uniforms required by a
  private school;
               (12)  costs of a school-age program, as defined by
  Section 42.002, Human Resources Code; and
               (13)  costs of a youth camp licensed under Chapter 141,
  Health and Safety Code, that provides educational services.
         (b)  Expenses allowed under Subsection (a) do not include
  expenses for:
               (1)  consumable supplies, including paper, pens,
  pencils, folders, and notebooks; or
               (2)  food, other than breakfast or lunch as authorized
  under Subsection (a)(10).
         (c)  Any money remaining in a program participant's account
  on the child's graduation from high school may be used by the child
  for tuition, fees, textbooks, and other instructional materials to
  attend or take courses from an institution of higher education or a
  private or independent institution of higher education.
         (d)  An education service provider or vendor of educational
  products must provide a program participant with a receipt for each
  expense allowed under Subsection (a) charged by the provider or
  vendor to the participant.
         (e)  The content, subject to Section 29.364(c), or religious
  nature of a product or service may not be considered in determining
  whether a payment for the product or service is an expense allowed
  under Subsection (a).
         (f)  A finding that a program participant used funds
  distributed under the program to pay for an expense not allowed
  under Subsection (a) does not affect the validity of any payment
  made by the participant for an expense that is allowed under that
  subsection.
         Sec. 29.358.  AMOUNT OF PAYMENT; FINANCING.  (a)  A parent of
  an eligible child shall receive each year that the child
  participates in the program a payment from the state to the child's
  account in an amount in accordance with Section 48.306.
         (b)  Money in an account may not be considered to be the
  property of a program participant and may be spent only in
  accordance with this subchapter.
         (c)  Any funds remaining in a child's account at the end of a
  fiscal year are carried forward to the next fiscal year unless
  another provision of this subchapter mandates the closure of the
  account.
         (d)  The parent of a child participating in the program may
  make payments for the expenses of educational programs, services,
  and products not covered by funds in the child's account.
         Sec. 29.359.  ADMINISTRATION OF ACCOUNTS.  (a)  The
  commissioner may contract with one or more financial institutions
  or other entities that accept fiduciary responsibility to establish
  and manage an account for each child participating in the program.
  A program participant must be able to access the participant's
  account by using an online or electronic transfer payment service.
         (b)  The commissioner shall make quarterly payments to each
  program participant's account in equal amounts, with the first
  payment for each school year made on September 1 and the remaining
  payments made on or before the 15th days of November, February, and
  May.
         (c)  After the end of each fiscal year, the commissioner
  shall reconcile payments made to and from all accounts under the
  program.
         (d)  On the earlier of the child's 26th birthday or the sixth
  anniversary of the child's graduation from high school, the child's
  account is closed and any remaining funds are returned to the state.
         (e)  The commissioner may contract with an entity to
  administer all or any part of the program.
         (f)  An entity responsible for managing accounts:
               (1)  shall ensure that each expenditure from an account
  is for an expense allowed under Section 29.357; and
               (2)  may require a program participant to submit any
  information necessary to make the determination described by
  Subdivision (1).
         Sec. 29.360.  RANDOM AUDITING OF ACCOUNTS.  (a)  The
  commissioner may randomly audit accounts as necessary to ensure
  compliance with applicable law and the requirements of the program.
  The commissioner may contract with another entity to audit accounts
  under this section.
         (b)  In auditing an account, the commissioner or an entity
  contracted to audit accounts under this section may require that a
  program participant provide further information and documentation
  regarding any payment from the participant's account.
         (c)  An entity contracted to audit accounts under this
  section shall report to the commissioner any violation of this
  subchapter or other relevant law found by the entity during an audit
  conducted under this section.
         Sec. 29.361.  SUSPENSION OF ACCOUNT.  (a)  The commissioner
  shall suspend the account of a program participant who fails to
  comply with applicable law or a requirement of the program,
  including a requirement under Section 29.356(a), or who
  substantially misuses funds received under the program.
         (b)  On suspension of an account under Subsection (a), the
  commissioner shall notify the program participant in writing that
  the account has been suspended and that no further payments may be
  made from the account. The notification must specify the grounds
  for the suspension and state that the participant has 10 business
  days to respond and take any corrective action required by the
  commissioner.
         (c)  On the expiration of the 10-day period under Subsection
  (b), the commissioner shall:
               (1)  order permanent closure of the suspended account
  and declare the program participant ineligible for the program;
               (2)  order temporary reinstatement of the account,
  conditioned on the performance of a specified action by the
  participant; or
               (3)  order full reinstatement of the account.
         (d)  The commissioner may recover funds distributed under
  the program that were used for expenses not allowed under Section
  29.357(a) from the program participant or the entity that received
  the funds if the participant's account is suspended or closed under
  this section.
         Sec. 29.362.  LIMITATION ON AMOUNTS CHARGED; REFUND
  PROHIBITED. (a)  An education service provider may not:
               (1)  charge a child participating in the program an
  amount greater than the standard amount charged for that service by
  the provider; or
               (2)  increase the amount charged to a child
  participating in the program for a service:
                     (A)  if the total amount charged to the child for
  that service by the provider during the preceding year was less than
  two-thirds of the amount deposited in the child's account for that
  year, to an amount that exceeds two-thirds of the amount deposited
  in the child's account for the current year; or
                     (B)  if the total amount charged to the child for
  that service by the provider during the preceding year was
  two-thirds or more of the amount deposited in the child's account
  for that year, by more than five percent of the amount charged to
  the child for that service by the provider during the preceding
  year.
         (b)  An education service provider or a vendor of educational
  products receiving funds distributed under the program may not in
  any manner rebate, refund, or credit to or share with a program
  participant, or any person on behalf of a participant, any program
  funds paid or owed by the participant to the provider or vendor.
         Sec. 29.363.  REFERRAL TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.  (a)  If the
  commissioner obtains evidence of fraudulent use of an account, the
  commissioner may refer the case to the attorney general for
  investigation.
         (b)  With the consent of the appropriate local county or
  district attorney, the attorney general has concurrent
  jurisdiction with the consenting local prosecutor to prosecute an
  offense referred to the attorney general under Subsection (a).
         Sec. 29.364.  PROVIDER ACCOUNTABILITY. (a)  To receive
  funds distributed under the program, a private school must be
  accredited by an entity recognized by the commissioner as an
  accrediting entity for private schools in this state.
         (b)  To receive funds distributed under the program, an
  education service provider that provides a full course load to a
  child participating in the program must administer to the child an
  instrument included on the list adopted by the commissioner under
  Section 29.356(d) and report the results to the agency.
         (c)  A practitioner or provider who provides educational
  therapies or services must be licensed or accredited by a regional
  or national accrediting organization to receive funds distributed
  under the program.
         (d)  A private tutor, teaching service, online educational
  course or program provider, or industry-based certification
  training provider must apply to and be approved by the agency to
  receive funds distributed under the program.
         (e)  To be eligible for approval under Subsection (d), a
  private tutor or each employee of a teaching service who intends to
  provide educational services to a program participant must:
               (1)  complete a national criminal history record
  information review; or
               (2)  provide to the agency documentation indicating
  that the tutor or employee, as applicable, has completed a national
  criminal history record information review within a period
  established by commissioner rule.
         (f)  The agency shall review the national criminal history
  record information or documentation for each private tutor or
  employee of a teaching service who submits an application under
  Subsection (d). The tutor or employee must provide the agency with
  any information requested by the agency to enable the agency to
  complete the review.
         (g)  The agency shall maintain and post on the agency's
  Internet website a list of private tutors, teaching services,
  online educational course or program providers, and industry-based
  certification training providers approved to receive funds
  distributed under the program.
         (h)  A private tutor, teaching service, online educational
  course or program provider, or industry-based certification
  training provider may appeal the agency's rejection of an
  application submitted under Subsection (d).  The agency shall
  review the application and make a recommendation to the
  commissioner regarding whether to approve or reject the
  application. A decision of the commissioner under this section is
  final and may not be appealed.
         Sec. 29.365.  PROGRAM PARTICIPANT, PROVIDER, AND VENDOR
  AUTONOMY.  (a)  An education service provider or vendor of
  educational products that receives funds distributed under the
  program is not an agent of the state.
         (b)  Except as provided by this subchapter, the
  commissioner, the agency, the State Board of Education, any other
  state agency, or any school district may not:
               (1)  regulate the educational program of an education
  service provider or vendor of educational products that receives
  funds distributed under the program; or
               (2)  exercise control or supervision over a program
  participant or an education service provider or vendor of
  educational products that receives funds distributed under the
  program.
         (c)  The program does not expand the regulatory authority of
  the state or any school district to impose any additional
  regulation on an education service provider or vendor of
  educational products except those reasonably necessary to enforce
  the program as provided by this subchapter.
         (d)  A private school may not be required to modify the
  school's creed, practices, admissions policies, curriculum,
  performance standards, or assessments to receive funds distributed
  under the program.
         (e)  A private school voluntarily selected by a parent for
  the parent's child to attend, with or without governmental
  assistance, may not be required to comply with any state law or rule
  governing the applicable educational program that was not in effect
  on January 1, 2023.
         (f)  In any proceeding challenging a rule adopted by a state
  agency or officer under this subchapter, the agency or officer has
  the burden of proof to establish that the rule:
               (1)  is necessary to implement or enforce the program
  as provided by this subchapter; and
               (2)  does not impose an undue burden on a program
  participant or an education service provider or vendor of
  educational products that receives or seeks to receive funds
  distributed under the program.
         Sec. 29.366.  STUDENT RECORDS AND INFORMATION.  On request
  by the parent of a child participating in the program, the school
  district or open-enrollment charter school that the child would
  otherwise attend shall provide a copy of the child's school records
  possessed by the district or school, if any, to the child's parent
  or, if applicable, the private school the child attends.
         Sec. 29.367.  ANNUAL SURVEY. The commissioner may conduct
  an annual parental satisfaction survey that asks each parent of a
  child participating in the program to express:
               (1)  the parent's overall level of satisfaction with
  the program; and
               (2)  the parent's opinion on specified topics and
  issues relevant to the effectiveness of the program.
         Sec. 29.368.  DETERMINATION OF COMMISSIONER FINAL.  
  Notwithstanding Section 7.057, a determination of the commissioner
  regarding eligibility or the approval of expenses under this
  subchapter or funding under Section 48.306 is final and may not be
  appealed.
         Sec. 29.369.  RULES.  The commissioner shall:
               (1)  adopt rules as necessary to implement this
  subchapter, including:
                     (A)  rules regarding eligibility determination,
  expense reporting requirements for program participants, and
  approval of expenses, including appeals of agency determinations on
  those issues;
                     (B)  rules for measuring the quality of learning
  for a child participating in the program; and
                     (C)  rules for implementing this subchapter in a
  manner that ensures compliance with federal law regarding
  confidentiality of student educational information, including the
  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1232g); and
               (2)  coordinate as necessary to:
                     (A)  calculate annually the savings to the state
  from the implementation of the program; and
                     (B)  prevent fraud in financial transactions
  under the program, including by adopting measures to permit
  anonymous fraud reporting by telephone hotline or online
  communication.
         Sec. 29.370.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS.  The
  commissioner may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
  from any public or private source for any expenses related to the
  administration of the program, including the initial
  implementation of the program and making payments to a program
  participant's account.
         SECTION 30.  Section 30.001(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The commissioner, with the approval of the State Board
  of Education, shall develop and implement a plan for the
  coordination of services to children with disabilities in each
  region served by a regional education service center. The plan must
  include procedures for:
               (1)  identifying existing public or private
  educational and related services for children with disabilities in
  each region;
               (2)  identifying and referring children with
  disabilities who cannot be appropriately served by the school
  district in which they reside to other appropriate programs;
               (3)  assisting school districts to individually or
  cooperatively develop programs to identify and provide appropriate
  services for children with disabilities;
               (4)  expanding and coordinating services provided by
  regional education service centers for children with disabilities;
  and
               (5)  providing for special supports, including special
  seats, books, instructional media, and other supplemental supplies
  and services required for proper instruction.
         SECTION 31.  Section 30.002(g), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (g)  To facilitate implementation of this section, the
  commissioner shall develop a system to distribute from the
  foundation school fund to school districts or regional education
  service centers a special supplemental allowance for each student
  with a visual impairment and for each student with a serious visual
  disability and another medically diagnosed disability of a
  significantly limiting nature who is receiving special education
  services through any approved program. The supplemental allowance
  may be spent only for special education services uniquely required
  by the nature of the student's disabilities and may not be used in
  lieu of educational funds otherwise available under this code or
  through state or local appropriations.
         SECTION 32.  Section 30.005, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 30.005.  TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY
  IMPAIRED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The agency [Texas Education
  Agency] and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  shall develop[, agree to, and by commissioner rule adopt] a
  memorandum of understanding to establish:
               (1)  the method for developing and reevaluating a set
  of indicators of the quality of learning at the Texas School for the
  Blind and Visually Impaired;
               (2)  the process for the agency to conduct and report on
  an annual evaluation of the school's performance on the indicators;
               (3)  the requirements for the school's board to
  publish, discuss, and disseminate an annual report describing the
  educational performance of the school;
               (4)  the process for the agency to:
                     (A)  assign an accreditation status to the school;
                     (B)  reevaluate the status on an annual basis; and
                     (C)  if necessary, conduct monitoring reviews;
  and
               (5)  the type of information the school shall be
  required to provide through the Public Education Information
  Management System (PEIMS).
         SECTION 33.  Section 37.146(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A complaint alleging the commission of a school offense
  must, in addition to the requirements imposed by Article 45.019,
  Code of Criminal Procedure:
               (1)  be sworn to by a person who has personal knowledge
  of the underlying facts giving rise to probable cause to believe
  that an offense has been committed; and
               (2)  be accompanied by a statement from a school
  employee stating:
                     (A)  whether the child is eligible for or receives
  special education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29; and
                     (B)  the graduated sanctions, if required under
  Section 37.144, that were imposed on the child before the complaint
  was filed.
         SECTION 34.  Effective September 1, 2024, Section 48.005,
  Education Code, is amended by adding subsection (o) to read as
  follows:
         (o)  The commissioner shall define enrollment for funding
  purposes under this title. For purposes of calculating eligibility
  and funding amounts of allotments under this chapter and Chapter
  46, a reference to a student means a student in enrollment at the
  school district unless otherwise indicated.
         SECTION 35.  Effective September 1, 2024, Section 48.051(a),
  Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  For each student in average daily attendance, not
  including the time students spend each day in career and technology
  education programs or in special education programs receiving
  special education services in a setting [an instructional
  arrangement] other than a general education setting [mainstream or
  career and technology education programs], for which an additional
  allotment is made under Subchapter C, a district is entitled to an
  allotment equal to the lesser of $6,160 or the amount that results
  from the following formula:
  A = $6,160 X TR/MCR
  where:
         "A" is the allotment to which a district is entitled;
         "TR" is the district's tier one maintenance and operations
  tax rate, as provided by Section 45.0032; and
         "MCR" is the district's maximum compressed tax rate, as
  determined under Section 48.2551.
         SECTION 36.  Effective September 1, 2024, Section 48.102,
  Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 48.102.  SPECIAL EDUCATION. (a)  For each student in a
  special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, [in a
  mainstream instructional arrangement,] a school district is
  entitled to an annual allotment equal to the basic allotment, or, if
  applicable, the sum of the basic allotment and the allotment under
  Section 48.101 to which the district is entitled, multiplied by a
  weight in an amount set by the legislature in the General
  Appropriations Act for the highest tier of intensity of service for
  which the student qualifies [1.15]. [For each full-time equivalent
  student in average daily attendance in a special education program
  under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, in an instructional arrangement
  other than a mainstream instructional arrangement, a district is
  entitled to an annual allotment equal to the basic allotment, or, if
  applicable, the sum of the basic allotment and the allotment under
  Section 48.101 to which the district is entitled, multiplied by a
  weight determined according to instructional arrangement as
  follows:
               [Homebound          5.0
               [Hospital class          3.0
               [Speech therapy          5.0
               [Resource room          3.0
               [Self-contained, mild and moderate, regular
  campus          3.0
               [Self-contained, severe, regular campus          3.0
               [Off home campus          2.7
               [Nonpublic day school          1.7
               [Vocational adjustment class          2.3]
         (a-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), for the 2024-2025 and
  2025-2026 school years, the amount of an allotment under this
  section shall be determined in accordance with Section 48.1023.
  This subsection expires September 1, 2026.
         (b)  The commissioner by rule shall define seven tiers of
  intensity of service for use in determining funding under this
  section. The commissioner must include one tier specifically
  addressing students receiving special education services in
  residential placement [A special instructional arrangement for
  students with disabilities residing in care and treatment
  facilities, other than state schools, whose parents or guardians do
  not reside in the district providing education services shall be
  established by commissioner rule. The funding weight for this
  arrangement shall be 4.0 for those students who receive their
  education service on a local school district campus. A special
  instructional arrangement for students with disabilities residing
  in state schools shall be established by commissioner rule with a
  funding weight of 2.8].
         (c)  [For funding purposes, the number of contact hours
  credited per day for each student in the off home campus
  instructional arrangement may not exceed the contact hours credited
  per day for the multidistrict class instructional arrangement in
  the 1992-1993 school year.
         [(d)  For funding purposes the contact hours credited per day
  for each student in the resource room; self-contained, mild and
  moderate; and self-contained, severe, instructional arrangements
  may not exceed the average of the statewide total contact hours
  credited per day for those three instructional arrangements in the
  1992-1993 school year.
         (e)  The commissioner by rule shall prescribe the
  qualifications an instructional arrangement must meet in order to
  be funded as a particular instructional arrangement under this
  section.  In prescribing the qualifications that a mainstream
  instructional arrangement must meet, the commissioner shall
  establish requirements that students with disabilities and their
  teachers receive the direct, indirect, and support services that
  are necessary to enrich the regular classroom and enable student
  success.
         [(f)  In this section, "full-time equivalent student" means
  30 hours of contact a week between a special education student and
  special education program personnel.
         [(g)]  The commissioner shall adopt rules and procedures
  governing contracts for residential and day program placement of
  [special education] students receiving special education services.
         (d)  [The legislature shall provide by appropriation for the
  state's share of the costs of those placements.
         [(h)]  At least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this
  section must be used in the special education program under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 29.
         (e) [(i)]  The agency shall ensure [encourage] the placement
  of students in special education programs, including students in
  residential placement [instructional arrangements], in the least
  restrictive environment appropriate for their educational needs.
         (f) [(j)]  A school district that provides an extended year
  program required by federal law for special education students who
  may regress is entitled to receive funds in an amount equal to 75
  percent, or a lesser percentage determined by the commissioner, of
  the basic allotment, or, if applicable, the sum of the basic
  allotment and the allotment under Section 48.101 to which the
  district is entitled for each [full-time equivalent] student in
  average daily attendance, multiplied by the amount designated for
  the highest tier of intensity of service for which the student
  qualifies [student's instructional arrangement] under this
  section, for each day the program is provided divided by the number
  of days in the minimum school year.  The total amount of state
  funding for extended year services under this section may not
  exceed $10 million per year.  A school district may use funds
  received under this section only in providing an extended year
  program.
         (g) [(k)]  From the total amount of funds appropriated for
  special education under this section, the commissioner shall
  withhold an amount specified in the General Appropriations Act, and
  distribute that amount to school districts for programs under
  Section 29.014.  The program established under that section is
  required only in school districts in which the program is financed
  by funds distributed under this subsection and any other funds
  available for the program.  After deducting the amount withheld
  under this subsection from the total amount appropriated for
  special education, the commissioner shall reduce each district's
  allotment proportionately and shall allocate funds to each district
  accordingly.
         (h)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
  the commissioner shall submit to the Legislative Budget Board, for
  purposes of the allotment under this section, proposed weights for
  the tiers of intensity of service for the next state fiscal
  biennium.
         SECTION 37.  Effective September 1, 2024, Subchapter C,
  Chapter 48, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 48.1021 to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 48.1021.  SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE GROUP ALLOTMENT.  
  (a)  For each six-week period in which a student in a special
  education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, receives eligible
  special education services, a school district is entitled to an
  allotment in an amount set by the legislature in the General
  Appropriations Act for the service group for which the student is
  eligible.
         (a-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), for the 2024-2025 and
  2025-2026 school years, the amount of an allotment under this
  section shall be determined in accordance with Section 48.1023.  
  This subsection expires September 1, 2026.
         (b)  The commissioner by rule shall establish four service
  groups for use in determining funding under this section.  In
  establishing the groups, the commissioner must consider the level
  of services, equipment, and technology required to meet the needs
  of students receiving special education services.
         (c)  A school district is entitled to receive an allotment
  under this section for each service group for which a student is
  eligible.
         (d)  A school district is entitled to the full amount of an
  allotment under this section for a student receiving eligible
  special education services during any part of a six-week period.
         (e)  At least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this
  section must be used for a special education program under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 29.
         (f)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
  the commissioner shall submit to the Legislative Budget Board, for
  purposes of the allotment under this section, proposed amounts of
  funding for the service groups for the next state fiscal biennium.
         SECTION 38.  Subchapter C, Chapter 48, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 48.1022 and 48.1023 to read as follows:
         Sec. 48.1022.  SPECIAL EDUCATION FULL INDIVIDUAL AND INITIAL
  EVALUATION. For each student for whom a school district conducts a
  full individual and initial evaluation under Section 29.004 or 20
  U.S.C. Section 1414(a)(1), the district is entitled to an allotment
  of $500 or a greater amount provided by appropriation.
         Sec. 48.1023.  SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSITION FUNDING. (a)  
  For the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, the commissioner may
  adjust weights or amounts provided under Section 48.102 or 48.1021
  as necessary to ensure compliance with requirements regarding
  maintenance of state financial support under 20 U.S.C. Section
  1412(a)(18) and maintenance of local financial support under
  applicable federal law.
         (b)  For the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, the
  commissioner shall determine the formulas through which school
  districts receive funding under Sections 48.102 and 48.1021.  In
  determining the formulas, the commissioner may combine the methods
  of funding under those sections with the method of funding provided
  by Section 48.102, as it existed on January 1, 2023.
         (c)  For the 2026-2027 school year, the commissioner may
  adjust the weights or amounts set by the legislature in the General
  Appropriations Act for purposes of Section 48.102 or 48.1021.
  Before making an adjustment under this subsection, the commissioner
  shall notify and must receive approval from the Legislative Budget
  Board.
         (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
  the sum of funding provided under Sections 48.102 and 48.1021 for
  the 2024-2025 or for the 2025-2026 school year as adjusted under
  this section may not exceed the sum of:
               (1)  funding that would have been provided under
  Section 48.102, as it existed on January 1, 2023; and
               (2)  the amount set by the legislature in the General
  Appropriations Act.
         (e)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
  shall report to the agency information necessary to implement this
  section.
         (f)  The agency shall provide technical assistance to school
  districts and open-enrollment charter schools to ensure a
  successful transition in funding formulas for special education.
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2028.
         SECTION 39.  Section 48.103(c), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  A school district may receive funding for a student
  under each provision of this section, [and] Section 48.102, and
  Section 48.1021 for which [if] the student qualifies [satisfies the
  requirements of both sections].
         SECTION 40.  Section 48.110(d), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  For each annual graduate in a cohort described by
  Subsection (b) who demonstrates college, career, or military
  readiness as described by Subsection (f) in excess of the minimum
  number of students determined for the applicable district cohort
  under Subsection (c), a school district is entitled to an annual
  outcomes bonus of:
               (1)  if the annual graduate is educationally
  disadvantaged, $5,000;
               (2)  if the annual graduate is not educationally
  disadvantaged, $3,000; and
               (3)  if the annual graduate is enrolled in a special
  education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, $4,000 [$2,000],
  regardless of whether the annual graduate is educationally
  disadvantaged.
         SECTION 41.  Section 48.151(g), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (g)  A school district or county that provides special
  transportation services for eligible students who receive special
  education services is entitled to a state allocation at a [paid on a
  previous year's cost-per-mile basis. The] rate of $1.13 per mile or
  a greater amount provided [allowable shall be set] by appropriation
  [based on data gathered from the first year of each preceding
  biennium]. Districts may use a portion of their support allocation
  to pay transportation costs, if necessary. The commissioner may
  grant an amount set by appropriation for private transportation to
  reimburse parents or their agents for transporting eligible
  students who receive special education services.  The mileage
  allowed shall be computed along the shortest public road from the
  student's home to school and back, morning and afternoon. The need
  for this type of transportation shall be determined on an
  individual basis and shall be approved only in extreme hardship
  cases.
         SECTION 42.  Subchapter D, Chapter 48, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 48.159 to read as follows:
         Sec. 48.159.  SPECIAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION ALLOTMENT.
  (a) For each classroom teacher or educational diagnostician
  employed by a school district who, during the preceding year,
  became certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, to teach special
  education or as an educational diagnostician, as applicable, the
  district is entitled to an allotment in the amount of the teacher's
  or diagnostician's certification fee.
         (b)  A school district shall use an allotment received under
  this section to provide a stipend in the amount of the allotment to
  the classroom teacher or educational diagnostician for whom the
  district received the allotment.  A stipend received by a classroom
  teacher under this subsection is not considered in determining
  whether the district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly
  salary under Section 21.402.
         SECTION 43.  Section 48.265(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  If [Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if] the
  commissioner determines that the amount appropriated for the
  purposes of the Foundation School Program exceeds the amount to
  which school districts are entitled under this chapter, the
  commissioner may provide [by rule shall establish a grant program
  through which excess funds are awarded as] grants using the excess
  money for the purchase of video equipment, or for the reimbursement
  of costs for previously purchased video equipment, used for
  monitoring special education classrooms or other special education
  settings required under Section 29.022.
         SECTION 44.  Section 48.279(e), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (e)  After the commissioner has replaced any withheld
  federal funds as provided by Subsection (d), the commissioner shall
  distribute the remaining amount, if any, of funds described by
  Subsection (a) to proportionately increase funding for the special
  education allotment under Section 48.102 and the special education
  service group allotment under Section 48.1021.
         SECTION 45.  Subchapter G, Chapter 48, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 48.304, 48.305, and 48.306 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 48.304.  DAY PLACEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING.  (a)  For each
  qualifying day placement program that a regional education service
  center makes available in partnership with a school district,
  open-enrollment charter school, or shared services arrangement,
  the center is entitled to an allotment of:
               (1)  $250,000 for the first year of the program's
  operation; and
               (2)  $150,000 for each year of the program's operation
  after the first year.
         (b)  A day placement program qualifies for purposes of
  Subsection (a) if:
               (1)  the program complies with commissioner rules
  adopted under Section 48.102(c);
               (2)  the program offers services to students who are
  enrolled at any school district or open-enrollment charter school
  in the county in which the program is offered, unless the
  commissioner by rule waives or modifies the requirement under this
  subdivision for the program to serve all students in a county; and
               (3)  the agency has designated the program for service
  in the county in which the program is offered and determined that,
  at the time of designation, the program increases the availability
  of day placement services in the county.
         Sec. 48.305.  PARENT-DIRECTED SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
  RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES STUDENTS GRANT.  (a)  A
  student to whom the agency awards a grant under Subchapter A-1,
  Chapter 29, is entitled to receive an amount equal to $1,500 or a
  greater amount by appropriation.
         (b)  The agency shall use money appropriated to the agency
  for purposes of this section to award grants under Subchapter A-1,
  Chapter 29.
         (c)  A student may receive one grant under Subchapter A-1,
  Chapter 29.  A student may receive an additional grant if the
  legislature appropriates money for the additional grant in the
  General Appropriations Act.
         Sec. 48.306.  EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT FUNDING.  (a)  A
  person enrolled in the education savings account program
  established under Subchapter J, Chapter 29, is entitled to a
  deposit to the person's education savings account in an amount
  equal to the sum of $7,250 and:
               (1)  $1,500, if the child is educationally
  disadvantaged;
               (2)  $1,400, if the child has not previously
  participated in a school district's special education program under
  Section 29.003; and
               (3)  if the child has previously participated in a
  school district's special education program under Section 29.003,
  the amount of funding for special education services the district
  was entitled to receive for the child under Subchapters B and C,
  Chapter 48, for the most recent school year in which the child
  participated in the district's special education program.
         (b)  A greater amount may be provided by appropriation or by
  the agency from money available for the purpose.
         .
         (c)  The agency shall use money appropriated to the agency
  for purposes of this section to make deposits to education savings
  accounts under Subchapter J, Chapter 29.
         (d)  A payment under Subsection (a) may not be financed using
  federal funds or money appropriated from the permanent school fund
  or the available school fund.
         SECTION 46.  Section 411.0901, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  The Texas Education Agency is entitled to obtain
  criminal history record information maintained by the department
  about a person who is a private tutor or an employee of a teaching
  service who intends to provide educational services to a child
  participating in the program established under Subchapter J,
  Chapter 29, Education Code, and is seeking approval to receive
  funds distributed under that program.
         SECTION 47.  Section 825.4092(f), Government Code, as added
  by Chapter 546 (S.B. 202), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2021, is amended to read as follows:
         (f)  A reporting employer is ultimately responsible for
  payment of the amounts required to be contributed under Subsections
  (b) and (c).  The employer may not directly or indirectly pass that
  cost on to the retiree through payroll deduction, by imposition of a
  fee, or by any other means designed to recover the cost.  This
  subsection does not apply to contributions required for a retiree
  employed by a school district or open-enrollment charter school to
  teach special education.
         SECTION 48.  The following provisions of the Education Code
  are repealed:
               (1)  Section 29.002;
               (2)  Sections 29.026(n) and (o);
               (3)  Section 29.027(i); and
               (4)  Section 29.050.
         SECTION 49.  Subchapter E, Chapter 22, Education Code, as
  added by this Act, Chapter 29, Education Code, as amended by this
  Act, and Section 825.4092(f), Government Code, as amended by this
  Act, apply beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
         SECTION 50.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section and as otherwise provided by this Act, 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,
  2023.
         (b)  The amendments by this Act to Chapter 48, Education
  Code, except as otherwise provided by this Act, take effect
  September 1, 2023.