85R7633 MK-D
 
  By: Perry S.B. No. 1210
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of an advisory committee to review special
  education programs available in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.0061 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.0061.  SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW ADVISORY
  COMMITTEE. (a)  In this section, "committee" means the special
  education program review advisory committee established under this
  section. 
         (b)  The special education program review advisory committee
  is established under this section to review special education
  services and procedures in public schools.
         (c)  The committee is composed of 12 members, appointed as
  follows:
               (1)  four members appointed by the governor;
               (2)  four members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
  and
               (3)  four members appointed by the speaker of the house
  of representatives.
         (d)  In making appointments under Subsection (c), the
  governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives shall coordinate to ensure the committee includes
  at least two members who are related to a child who receives special
  education services.  The committee must also include stakeholders
  with relevant experience with children who receive special
  education services.
         (e)  The governor shall designate the presiding officer of
  the committee.
         (f)  Members of the committee shall be appointed not later
  than October 1, 2017.
         (g)  The committee must meet at least four times at the call
  of the presiding officer.  Committee members may participate
  remotely in a committee meeting through a telephone conference
  call. 
         (h)  The agency shall provide administrative support to the
  committee. 
         (i)  The committee shall conduct a review of:
               (1)  the procedure by which a child gains access to
  special education programs;
               (2)  the admission, review, and dismissal committee
  process;
               (3)  agency procedures for handling complaints
  regarding special education programs;
               (4)  agency training and resources related to the
  education of children who have a traumatic brain injury; and
               (5)  the required qualifications for a teacher's aide
  that is assigned to a special education program.
         (j)  Not later than September 1, 2018, the committee shall
  submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and each member of
  the legislature a report that includes:
               (1)  a description of the activities of the committee;
               (2)  the committee's findings in the review under
  Subsection (i); and
               (3)  recommendations for improvements to special
  education programs in public schools.
         (k)  The committee is abolished and this section expires on
  December 1, 2018. 
         SECTION 2.  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.