HB1706 - Relating to additional requirements for individualized education programs developed for children with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders.

  89R3987 JDK-D     By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 1706       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to additional requirements for individualized education   programs developed for children with autism or other pervasive   developmental disorders.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 29.005, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (e-2) to read as follows:           (e-2)     For a child with autism or another pervasive   developmental disorder, the committee must consider for inclusion   in the child's individualized education program each strategy   identified under commissioner rule as appropriate for autism or   another pervasive developmental disorder and that is based on   peer-reviewed, research-based educational programming practices.   The committee shall determine whether each strategy considered is   appropriate and practicable to include in the child's   individualized education program.   If the committee determines that   a strategy is not appropriate or practicable to include in the   child's individualized education program, the committee must   include a written statement to that effect and the basis for that   determination in the documentation for the child's individualized   education program.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.0052 to read as follows:           Sec.   29.0052.     ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS   WITH AUTISM OR ANOTHER PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER. (a)   Not   later than seven days before each meeting of an admission, review,   and dismissal committee for a child with autism or another   pervasive developmental disorder, a school district shall provide   to the parent of the child written information regarding each   strategy identified under commissioner rule as appropriate for   autism or another pervasive developmental disorder and that is   based on peer-reviewed, research-based educational programming   practices.           (b)     At each meeting of an admission, review, and dismissal   committee for a child with autism or another pervasive   developmental disorder, the committee must consider each strategy   described by Subsection (a) and determine whether the strategy is   appropriate and practicable to include in the child's   individualized education program.   If the committee determines that   a strategy is not appropriate or practicable to include in the   child's program, the committee must include a written statement to   that effect and the basis for that determination in the   documentation for the child's individualized education program.           (c)     If the child's parent is unable to speak English, a   school district shall:                 (1)     provide the parent with a written or audiotaped   copy of the written information required under Subsection (a)   translated into Spanish if Spanish is the parent's native language;   or                 (2)     if the parent's native language is a language other   than Spanish, make a good faith effort to provide the parent with   the written information required under Subsection (a) translated   into the parent's native language.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 4.  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.