Preparing for the Texas 87th Legislative Session

The 87th session of the Texas Legislature is well underway. As in past sessions, we at TxSER are keeping a list of those bills affecting children with disabilities and their families and monitoring the progress of these bills throughout the session. The list is updated regularly. We will let you know when a particular bill of interest is scheduled for hearing so that you may have the opportunity to provide oral or written testimony. We will also let you know when a bill is scheduled to be put to a vote on the floor so that you may call your local legislator and request their support (or opposition, as the case may be).

Below is TxSER’s current list of bills of interest and a very brief description:

HB 97 No disciplinary history consideration in charter school admissions

Last Action 04/06/2021 H Scheduled for public hearing on

HB 144 Adds info required to be included in IEP re effects of COVID

Last Action 03/23/2021 H Left pending in committee

HB 159 Improves training for educators to more effectively serve all students

Last Action 04/01/2021 H Committee report sent to Calendars

HB 168 Regulation of child-care facilities & registered family homes providing services to children with disabilities

Last Action 03/16/2021 H Left pending in committee

HB 220 Establishes resource campuses to improve a public school campus not performing satisfactorily

Last Action 04/06/2021 H Scheduled for public hearing on

HB 332 Compensatory ed funds used for "social emotional learning" programs

Last Action 03/30/2021 H Left pending in committee

HB 411 Eliminates use of "ARD" language to align with IDEA

Last Action 03/23/2021 H Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar

HB 445 Character traits instruction one of which is importance of inclusion

Last Action 03/16/2021 H Left pending in committee

HB 785 BIP bill**

Last Action 04/07/2021 H Placed on General State Calendar

HB 1194 Reporting of disciplinary actions to TEA

Last Action 04/06/2021 H Scheduled for public hearing on

HB 2256 Bilingual SPED cert

Last Action: 04/06/2021 H Scheduled for public hearing on

HB 3804 BAD BILL Eliminates Prof Dev requirements re SWDs

Last Action: 04/06/2021 H Scheduled for public hearing on . .

SB 1267 BAD BILL Removes training reqs for SWDs

Last Action: 04/08/2021 S Scheduled for public hearing on . .

SB 89 Companion to HB 144

Last Action 03/31/2021 S Considered in public hearing

The following bills have been referred to Committees but no further action has been taken:

HB 24 Relating to funding for school districts to provide inclusive and accessible playgrounds

HB 28 Social work services in schools

HB 62 Restorative Justice as a disciplinary alternative

HB 85 Study on financial impact of Federal education mandate on districts

HB 108 Limits charter school suspensions

HB 370 Delays implementation of adopted Commissioner of Ed rules for 2 years

HB 742 STAAR alt exempt & accountability

HB 812 Establishment & use of adaptive growth based assessments

HB 828 Adds disability studies to school curriculum

HB 807 Exemption from accountability of certain campuses with children with disabilities

HB 855 Another study on disabilities in higher ed

HB 877 Appoints ed rep for SWDs 18+

HB 1015 Microgrants for families of children with disabilities in Houston area

HB 1050 Study on use of mental health response team

HB 1163 Prohibits certain restraints on SPED students

HB 1201 Promotes use of restorative discipline practices

HB 1252 Increases Statute o Limitations for Due Process from 1 to 2 yrs

SB 54 Study on best practices for assisting students with Autism in higher ed

SB 88 Establishes SPED Liaison program

SB 96 Medicaid reimbursement to school districts for providing Mental Health services

SB 180 Improves training for educators to more effectively serve all students

SB 259 Grant program for students with disabilities

SB 407 Requires districts to annually report the number of incidents of bullying and cyberbullying