Cunningham Autism Bill Funds Up To 10 School Programs

The text as introduced · 831 words

89R4033 KJE-D

By: Cunningham
H.B. No. 1662

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a grant program for public schools and regional

education service centers to provide services related to educating

students with autism.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 29.026 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.026. GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDING SERVICES TO STUDENTS

WITH AUTISM. (a) The commissioner shall establish a program to

award grants to:

(1) school districts and open-enrollment charter

schools that provide innovative services to students with autism;

and

(2) regional education service centers that provide

specialized training on evidence-based practices to classroom

teachers who teach students with autism.

(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school is

eligible for a grant under Subsection (a)(1) if the district or

school offers a program that incorporates:

(1) evidence-based and research-based design;

(2) the use of empirical data on student achievement

and improvement;

(3) parental support and collaboration;

(4) the use of technology;

(5) professional development;

(6) meaningful inclusion; and

(7) the ability to replicate the program for students

statewide.

(c) A regional education service center is eligible for a

grant under Subsection (a)(2) if the center provides specialized

training that incorporates:

(1) evidence-based and research-based design;

(2) de-escalation and positive behavioral

interventions and supports;

(3) the use of empirical data on student achievement

and improvement;

(4) ongoing professional development;

(5) ongoing coaching services; and

(6) the ability to replicate the training statewide.

(d) A school district or open-enrollment charter school

that receives a grant under this section may not:

(1) charge a fee for the program, other than those

authorized by law for students in public schools;

(2) require a parent to enroll a child in the program;

(3) allow an admission, review, and dismissal

committee to place a student in the program without the written

consent of the student's parent or guardian; or

(4) continue the placement of a student in the program

after the student's parent or guardian revokes consent, in writing,

to the student's placement in the program.

(e) A program under Subsection (a)(1) may:

(1) alter the length of the school day or school year

or the number of minutes of instruction received by students;

(2) coordinate services with private or

community-based providers;

(3) allow the participation of students without

disabilities or with other disabilities, if that participation is

consistent with requirements applicable to students with autism for

placement in the least restrictive environment under 34 C.F.R.

Section 300.114; and

(4) adopt staff qualifications and staff to student

ratios that differ from the applicable requirements of this title.

(f) The commissioner shall create an external panel of

stakeholders, including parents of students with disabilities, to

provide assistance in the selection of applications for the award

of grants under this section.

(g) The commissioner may award not more than 10 grants under

Subsection (a)(1). In selecting programs to receive a grant under

that subsection, the commissioner shall prioritize programs that

are collaborations between multiple school districts, multiple

charter schools, or school districts and charter schools. The

selected programs must reflect the diversity of this state.

(h) A grant award under Subsection (a)(1) may not exceed

$1 million in a state fiscal biennium.

(i) The commissioner shall use at least half of the money

appropriated for grants under this section to award grants under

Subsection (a)(2).

(j) A grant awarded to a school district or open-enrollment

charter school under this section is in addition to the Foundation

School Program money that the district or charter school is

otherwise entitled to receive. A grant awarded under this section

may not come out of Foundation School Program money.

(k) The commissioner and any program selected under this

section may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or

private source, person, or group to implement and administer the

program. The commissioner and any program selected under this

section may not require any financial contribution from parents to

implement and administer the program.

(l) The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this

section, including rules establishing an application and selection

process for awarding grants.

(m) Not later than December 31, 2030, the commissioner shall

submit to the legislature a report on the grant program under this

section. The report must include:

(1) recommendations for statutory or funding changes

necessary to implement successful innovations in the education of

students with autism; and

(2) data on the academic and functional achievements

of students enrolled in a program that received a grant under this

section.

(n) This section expires September 1, 2031.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

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, 2025.