Bill Text: TX HB1404 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a committee to evaluate special education services in public schools.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-09 - Referred to Public Education [HB1404 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB1404-Introduced.html
  84R8079 MK-D
 
  By: Leach H.B. No. 1404
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a committee to evaluate special
  education services in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.022 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.022.  SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES EVALUATION
  COMMITTEE. (a) A committee is established under this section to
  examine, review, and evaluate the provision of special education
  services by public school districts in the state.
         (b)  The commissioner, in collaboration with the lieutenant
  governor and the speaker of the house of representatives, shall
  appoint members of the committee. The committee shall be composed
  of: 
               (1)  one member of the house of representatives;
               (2)  one member of the senate;
               (3)  one superintendent of a school district;
               (4)  one special education teacher;
               (5)  three parents of students who receive special
  education services from a school district;
               (6)  one physician who is a doctor of medicine; and
               (7)  one attorney who specializes in education law. 
         (c)  The commissioner, in collaboration with the lieutenant
  governor and the speaker of the house of representatives, shall
  designate a member of the committee to serve as presiding officer.
         (d)  The commissioner, in collaboration with the lieutenant
  governor and the speaker of the house of representatives, shall
  appoint the members of the committee not later than November 1,
  2015.
         (e)  The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of
  the committee on or before December 1, 2015. The committee shall
  meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines
  are appropriate. The committee shall adopt rules necessary to
  fulfill the committee's duties under this section.
         (f)  Members of the committee serve without compensation.
         (g)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  committee.
         (h)  The committee shall:
               (1)  evaluate the compliance of each public school
  district with current laws and rules related to special education
  services; and 
               (2)  review current laws and rules related to special
  education services in public schools and recommend changes or
  improvements to the laws or rules. 
         (i)  Not later than November 1, 2016, the committee shall
  deliver a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of
  the house of representatives, and appropriate committees of the
  legislature that includes:
               (1)  a description of the activities of the committee;
               (2)  the findings and recommendations of the committee,
  including any proposed policy and research recommendations; and
               (3)  any proposals for legislation or other matters the
  committee considers appropriate. 
         (j)  The committee is abolished and this section expires
  December 1, 2016. 
         SECTION 2.  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, 2015.
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