Bill Text: TX HB1974 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a statewide Imagination Library program by the State Board of Education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-08 - Referred to Public Education [HB1974 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB1974-Introduced.html

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88R3486 AMF-D
By: Harris of Williamson H.B. No. 1974

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a statewide Imagination Library
program by the State Board of Education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.911 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.911. STATEWIDE IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM. (a)
In this section, "board" means the State Board of Education.
(b) Using money described by Subsection (d), the board shall
establish a statewide Imagination Library program in partnership
with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library or a similar book
distribution program to encourage children to develop a love of
reading and learning by mailing age-appropriate books on a monthly
basis to children five years of age or younger who register for the
program.
(c) The board shall:
(1) identify and recruit local affiliates across the
state to participate in the program;
(2) assist local affiliates in the development,
coordination, and promotion of the program in the affiliates'
respective communities;
(3) develop, coordinate, and promote a statewide
public awareness campaign to inform:
(A) donors regarding opportunities to
financially support the program and local affiliates; and
(B) the public regarding the program, including
how to register eligible children into the program; and
(4) coordinate the collection and remittance of
program costs for books and mailing.
(d) The board may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any public or private source for purposes of the
program.
(e) The board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this
section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.