HBA-MPM, JRA, PDH H.B. 907 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 907 By: Siebert Public Education 7/21/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislative Session, the Education Code required a person who was 17 years old to attend school until age 18 and allowed 18, 19, and 20 year olds to attend school voluntarily. A student who is 18 years old or older is eligible for Social Security Survivor Benefits. The Social Security Administration (administration) requires proof of enrollment from a student, but the administration does not scrutinize the student's attendance. Voluntary students who enroll in school only to obtain these benefits often do not attend regularly, and may engage in activities distracting to other students. H.B. 907 allows a person to voluntarily enroll in school or voluntarily attend school after the person's 18th birthday, but requires the person to comply with attendance requirements. This bill sets forth sanctions for failing to comply with the attendance requirements. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.085, Education Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows: (e) Requires a person who voluntarily enrolls in school or attends school after the person's 18th birthday to attend school each school day for the entire period of the program of instruction offered. Authorizes a school district to revoke for the remainder of the school year the enrollment of a person who has more than five unexcused absences in a semester. Provides that a person whose enrollment is revoked may be considered an unauthorized person on school district grounds for purposes of Section 37.107 (Trespass on School Grounds), Education Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.087(a), Education Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 3.Makes application of this Act prospective beginning with the 1999-2000 school year. SECTION 4.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.