HBA-MPM S.B. 476 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 476 By: Luna Public Education 4/18/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not include special education students in the group of students included in special needs populations. Advocacy groups have been told that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would assume that special education is included in special needs populations, but since the law does not specifically state that they are included, TEA cannot require districts to include special education students in special needs populations. S.B. 476 includes special education students in certain public education decisions to improve services to the students and to ensure that they are included in the group of students identified as special needs populations. 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 8.051(d), Education Code, as follows: (5) Includes among core services maintained by each educational service center for purchase by school districts (district) and campuses assistance specifically designed for a district that is considered out of compliance with state or federal special education requirements, based on the agency's most recent compliance review of the district's special education programs. Makes a conforming change. Redesignates existing Subdivision (5) to (6). SECTION 2. Amends Section 11.252(a), Education Code, to include students in special education programs under Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29 (Educational Programs), Education Code, among those addressed in a comprehensive needs assessment for which a district's improvement plan must include provisions. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 11.253(c) and (d), Education Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Makes this Act applicable beginning with the 1999-2000 school year. SECTION 5.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.