SB544 - Relating to required individualized education program supplements for certain public school students placed in alternative special education settings.

  89R3006 ANG-D     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 544       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to required individualized education program supplements   for certain public school students placed in alternative special   education settings.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.0053 to read as follows:           Sec.   29.0053.     INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT   FOR STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SETTINGS. (a)   In   this section:                 (1)  "Alternative special education setting" means:                       (A)     a school district campus at which 90 percent   or more of the enrolled students are provided special education and   related services; or                       (B)  a self-contained program that:                             (i)     operates as a separate campus from the   campus in which the program is located; and                             (ii)     provides special education and related   services to 90 percent or more of the students in regular   attendance.                 (2)     "Committee" means a committee established under   Section 29.005(a).           (b)     In developing or modifying an individualized education   program for a student who receives special education or related   services in an alternative special education setting, the student's   committee shall develop and include in an attached supplement to   the written statement of the student's individualized education   program individualized, measurable goals for academic and   social-emotional and behavioral growth that would allow the student   to be returned to a general education setting.   The committee must   meet at least once each semester to review the student's progress   toward the goals developed under this subsection and determine   whether the student may be returned to a general education setting.          SECTION 2.  Section 29.011, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (a-3) to read as follows:           (a-3)     The procedures adopted under Subsection (a) must   require the admission, review, and dismissal committee for a   student who is at least 18 years of age and receiving special   education or related services in an alternative special education   setting, as defined by Section 29.0053, to develop and include in an   attached supplement to the written statement of the student's   individualized education program individualized, measurable goals   for the issues described by Subsections (a)(7) and (8).            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.