BILL ANALYSIS
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
H.B. 1563 or "Jennifer's Law" is named after Jennifer Ann Crecente, a Bowie High School senior, who was murdered by her former boyfriend in Austin, Texas on February 15, 2006. With Jennifer's Law, H.B. 1563, Jennifer will posthumously receive her high school diploma. Current law addresses academic achievement record, high school diplomas for veterans, and the computation of grade point average, but provides no specific requirements related to the issuance of high school diplomas to certain crime victims.
This bill would allow Jennifer Ann Crecente to be issued a diploma.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The provisions of the bill apply only to a school district with an enrollment at the beginning of the school year of more than 80,000 students.
The bill provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Education Code, on the request of the student's parent, a school district shall issue a high school diploma posthumously to each student who attended high school in the district during the 2005-2006 school year at grade level 12, and was the victim of criminal homicide during that school year.
These provisions expire September 1, 2008.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.