HB1662 - Relating to a grant program for public schools and regional education service centers to provide services related to educating students with autism.

  89R4033 KJE-D     By: Cunningham H.B. No. 1662       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a grant program for public schools and regional   education service centers to provide services related to educating   students with autism.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.026 to read as follows:           Sec.   29.026.     GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDING SERVICES TO STUDENTS   WITH AUTISM. (a) The commissioner shall establish a program to   award grants to:                 (1)     school districts and open-enrollment charter   schools that provide innovative services to students with autism;   and                 (2)     regional education service centers that provide   specialized training on evidence-based practices to classroom   teachers who teach students with autism.           (b)     A school district or open-enrollment charter school is   eligible for a grant under Subsection (a)(1) if the district or   school offers a program that incorporates:                 (1)  evidence-based and research-based design;                 (2)     the use of empirical data on student achievement   and improvement;                 (3)  parental support and collaboration;                 (4)  the use of technology;                 (5)  professional development;                 (6)  meaningful inclusion; and                 (7)     the ability to replicate the program for students   statewide.           (c)     A regional education service center is eligible for a   grant under Subsection (a)(2) if the center provides specialized   training that incorporates:                 (1)  evidence-based and research-based design;                 (2)     de-escalation and positive behavioral   interventions and supports;                 (3)     the use of empirical data on student achievement   and improvement;                 (4)  ongoing professional development;                 (5)  ongoing coaching services; and                 (6)  the ability to replicate the training statewide.           (d)     A school district or open-enrollment charter school   that receives a grant under this section may not:                 (1)     charge a fee for the program, other than those   authorized by law for students in public schools;                 (2)  require a parent to enroll a child in the program;                 (3)     allow an admission, review, and dismissal   committee to place a student in the program without the written   consent of the student's parent or guardian; or                 (4)     continue the placement of a student in the program   after the student's parent or guardian revokes consent, in writing,   to the student's placement in the program.           (e)  A program under Subsection (a)(1) may:                 (1)     alter the length of the school day or school year   or the number of minutes of instruction received by students;                 (2)     coordinate services with private or   community-based providers;                 (3)     allow the participation of students without   disabilities or with other disabilities, if that participation is   consistent with requirements applicable to students with autism for   placement in the least restrictive environment under 34 C.F.R.   Section 300.114; and                 (4)     adopt staff qualifications and staff to student   ratios that differ from the applicable requirements of this title.           (f)     The commissioner shall create an external panel of   stakeholders, including parents of students with disabilities, to   provide assistance in the selection of applications for the award   of grants under this section.           (g)     The commissioner may award not more than 10 grants under   Subsection (a)(1).   In selecting programs to receive a grant under   that subsection, the commissioner shall prioritize programs that   are collaborations between multiple school districts, multiple   charter schools, or school districts and charter schools. The   selected programs must reflect the diversity of this state.           (h)     A grant award under Subsection (a)(1) may not exceed   $1   million in a state fiscal biennium.           (i)     The commissioner shall use at least half of the money   appropriated for grants under this section to award grants under   Subsection (a)(2).           (j)     A grant awarded to a school district or open-enrollment   charter school under this section is in addition to the Foundation   School Program money that the district or charter school is   otherwise entitled to receive. A grant awarded under this section   may not come out of Foundation School Program money.           (k)     The commissioner and any program selected under this   section may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or   private source, person, or group to implement and administer the   program. The commissioner and any program selected under this   section may not require any financial contribution from parents to   implement and administer the program.           (l)     The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this   section, including rules establishing an application and selection   process for awarding grants.           (m)     Not later than December 31, 2030, the commissioner shall   submit to the legislature a report on the grant program under this   section. The report must include:                 (1)     recommendations for statutory or funding changes   necessary to implement successful innovations in the education of   students with autism; and                 (2)     data on the academic and functional achievements   of students enrolled in a program that received a grant under this   section.           (n)  This section expires September 1, 2031.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.