HBA-NMO H.B. 217 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 217
By: Hochberg
Public Education
3/21/99
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires a school district to excuse a student from attending
school for the purpose of observing religious holy days if, before the
absence, the student's parent or legal guardian submits a written request
for an excused absence.  H.B. 217 deletes the provision stipulating that a
student's parent or guardian submit a written request for an excused
absence before a school district is required to excuse the student from
attending school for the purpose of observing religious holy days.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 25.087(b), Education Code, to delete language
that provides that the parent, guardian, or custodian of a student must
submit a written request for an excused absence, before a school district
is required to excuse a student's absence for the purpose of observing
religious holy days. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective beginning with the
1999-2000 school year. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date:  upon passage.