The text as introduced · 667 words
89R8689 MM-D
By: Ordaz
H.B. No. 2310
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and
expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young
children with disabilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.0091 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0091. STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND EARLY
LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES. (a) The agency, in collaboration with the Health and
Human Services Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission, shall
develop and implement a strategic plan to improve early learning
and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities
or developmental delays.
(b) In developing the strategic plan, the agency, in
coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and the
Texas Workforce Commission, shall:
(1) develop strategies for the inclusion of children
with disabilities in early childhood education settings;
(2) consider topics and existing barriers relating to
ensuring, and any changes to existing practices or policies
necessary to ensure, more effective inclusion of children with
disabilities in early learning programs, including in:
(A) prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E,
including prekindergarten programs provided under a partnership
between school districts and community-based child-care providers;
(B) early childhood special education settings;
and
(C) child-care programs participating in the
Texas Workforce Commission's subsidized child-care program; and
(3) coordinate with, at a minimum, representatives of
state, regional, and local agencies, the governor's Texas Early
Learning Council, nonprofit organizations, and relevant social
services providers.
(c) The strategic plan must include:
(1) the strategies for the inclusion of children with
disabilities in early childhood education settings developed under
Subsection (b)(1) signed by the commissioner, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, and the
executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission;
(2) a description of existing barriers to the
effective inclusion of children with disabilities in early learning
programs;
(3) recommendations for statutory, regulatory,
guidance, or funding changes, and policy implementation changes,
necessary to improve the inclusion of young children with
disabilities in early childhood education programs; and
(4) current and proposed strategies and
recommendations to achieve:
(A) improved provider staffing, training,
sustainability, and effectiveness across public schools,
child-care programs, and early childhood intervention services
providers that serve young children with disabilities;
(B) the effective leveraging of existing funding
and resources;
(C) streamlined transitions for families:
(i) from early childhood intervention
programs to early childhood special education programs; and
(ii) from early childhood special education
programs to special education programs; and
(D) improved collaboration and partnerships
between child-care programs, early childhood intervention services
providers, and public schools.
(d) Not later than September 1 of the last state fiscal year
in each four-year period covered by the most recent strategic plan:
(1) the agency shall update the strategic plan for the
subsequent four-year period;
(2) the agency shall submit the updated strategic plan
developed under Subdivision (1) to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(3) the agency, the Health and Human Services
Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall publish the
updated strategic plan developed under Subdivision (1) on the
agencies' respective Internet websites.
SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2026:
(1) the Texas Education Agency, the Health and Human
Services Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall
publish the initial strategic plan required by Section 29.0091,
Education Code, as added by this Act, on the agencies' respective
Internet websites; and
(2) the Texas Education Agency shall submit the
initial strategic plan described by Subdivision (1) of this section
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the
house of representatives.
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.
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