H.B. No. 728
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment by the State Board of Education of an
  advanced computer science program for high school students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.018 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.018.  ADVANCED COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM. (a)  The
  State Board of Education by rule shall develop and implement a
  program under which:
               (1)  students in participating school districts may
  comply with the curriculum requirements for an advanced mathematics
  credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(2) or an advanced science credit
  under Section 28.025(b-1)(3) by successfully completing an
  advanced computer science course; and
               (2)  participating school districts implement rigorous
  standards, as developed by the State Board of Education, for
  advanced computer science courses that are focused on the creation
  and use of software and computing technologies.
         (b)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
  administer this section.
         SECTION 2.  The State Board of Education shall establish the
  program under Section 28.018, Education Code, as added by this Act,
  not later than September 1, 2018, for implementation during the
  2018-2019 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.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 728 was passed by the House on April
  20, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 728 was passed by the Senate on May
  15, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor