By: Huberty, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Huffman) H.B. No. 357
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 24, 2017;
  May 19, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on State
  Affairs; May 19, 2017, rereferred to Committee on Intergovernmental
  Relations; May 22, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 22, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the eligibility of the children of certain first
  responders for free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 29.153(b), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
  class under this section if the child is at least three years of age
  and:
               (1)  is unable to speak and comprehend the English
  language;
               (2)  is educationally disadvantaged;
               (3)  is a homeless child, as defined by 42 U.S.C.
  Section 11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either
  parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person
  having lawful control of the child;
               (4)  is the child of an active duty member of the armed
  forces of the United States, including the state military forces or
  a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active
  duty by proper authority;
               (5)  is the child of a member of the armed forces of the
  United States, including the state military forces or a reserve
  component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while
  serving on active duty; [or]
               (6)  is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the
  Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary
  hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
               (7)  is the child of a person eligible for the Star of
  Texas Award as:
                     (A)  a peace officer under Section 3106.002,
  Government Code;
                     (B)  a firefighter under Section 3106.003,
  Government Code; or
                     (C)  an emergency medical first responder under
  Section 3106.004, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
  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, 2017.
 
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