Bill Text: TX HB363 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a task force to study the effect of delayed school start times on students.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-23 - Referred to Public Education [HB363 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB363-Introduced.html

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88R2181 JTZ-D
By: Howard H.B. No. 363

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to study the effect of
delayed school start times on students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.
(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of
education.
(3) "Task force" means the task force established
under this Act.
SECTION 2. TASK FORCE TO STUDY SCHOOL DAY START TIMES. (a)
A task force is established under this section to study the effect
of school day start times on students in kindergarten through grade
12.
(b) The commissioner shall appoint members of the task
force, including:
(1) one pediatrician;
(2) one physician who specializes in sleep disorders;
(3) one mental health professional who specializes in
adolescent health issues;
(4) one representative of the National Alliance on
Mental Illness of Texas;
(5) one representative of the Texas Psychological
Association;
(6) one representative of Every Texan;
(7) one representative of Raise Your Hand Texas;
(8) one representative of Start School Later Texas;
(9) one representative of the Texas Pediatric Society;
(10) one representative of the Texas School Health
Advisory Committee;
(11) one representative of the Texas Association of
School Administrators;
(12) one representative of the Association of Texas
Professional Educators;
(13) one representative of the Texas School Nurses
Organization;
(14) one representative of the Texas Elementary
Principals and Supervisors Association;
(15) one representative of the Texas Association of
Secondary School Principals;
(16) one representative of the Texas Association for
Pupil Transportation; and
(17) one student enrolled in public school in this
state.
(c) The members of the task force shall select the presiding
officer of the task force.
(d) The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of
the task force not later than January 1, 2024. The task force shall
meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines
are appropriate. The task force shall adopt rules necessary to
fulfill the task force's duties under this section.
(e) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
task force.
SECTION 3. DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE. The task force shall:
(1) conduct a study that:
(A) evaluates the effect of daily school start
and end times on students in kindergarten through grade 12;
(B) considers any negative impacts on public and
private school students and families that may arise from delayed
daily school start and end times;
(C) evaluates studies or initiatives relating to
school start times that are supported by national education
advocacy organizations; and
(D) reviews any available literature regarding
the experience of students in other states that have delayed school
day start times;
(2) prepare an assessment on the effect of delayed
school day start times on the health, safety, and academic
performance of students; and
(3) provide recommendations to the agency regarding
the feasibility of establishing a pilot program to test delayed
school day start times.
SECTION 4. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2024, the
task force shall deliver to the commissioner of education a report
that includes the findings from the study, a summary of information
considered for the purposes of the study, and the recommendations
on the feasibility of a pilot program.
SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this
Act expires January 1, 2025.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2023.