HBA-JEK, CBW H.B. 874 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 874
By: Dutton
Public Education
3/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Juvenile justice alternative education programs (JJAEPs) in counties of
125,000 or more are required to operate for 180 days per year.  Unlike
school districts, JJAEPs may not apply for a waiver of the 180-day rule.
Some JJAEPs operate in the same service area as school districts that have
received a waiver of exemption from the 180-day requirement.  Operating the
school district and the JJAEP on a parallel schedule might improve JJAEP
attendance and be simpler for some teachers, students, and parents.  House
Bill 874 authorizes JJAEPs in counties of 125,000 or more to request a
waiver of the 180-day requirement. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 874 amends the Education Code to authorize a juvenile justice
alternative program in a county of 125,000 or more to apply to the
commissioner of  education  for a waiver of the required 180 days of
operation as a school district is authorized by law to seek a waiver of a
comparable requirement. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year.