five-year study of dyslexia in juvenile facilities

The text as introduced · 742 words

89R16837 MCF-F

By: Lujan
H.B. No. 5002

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study and pilot program on the identification of and

interventions provided to children with dyslexia who are committed

to juvenile facilities.

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

SECTION 1. (a) In this Act:

(1) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.

(2) "Department" means the Texas Juvenile Justice

Department.

(3) "Juvenile facility" means a facility operated by

or under contract with the department.

(b) The department, in collaboration with the agency, shall

conduct a five-year study on the identification of dyslexia in

children committed to the custody of the department.

(c) In conducting the study, the department and agency

shall:

(1) assess current procedures for dyslexia screening

and identification in juvenile facilities;

(2) consider improvements in the procedures for

dyslexia screening and identification in juvenile facilities;

(3) collect and analyze data, disaggregated by age,

sex, and race, on the prevalence of dyslexia among children

committed to juvenile facilities;

(4) evaluate access to educational resources and

interventions provided to children committed to juvenile

facilities who have been identified as having dyslexia;

(5) identify barriers to effective dyslexia

screening, diagnosis, and intervention in juvenile facilities;

(6) consider and develop innovative screening

techniques to supplement initial intake screenings, including:

(A) telehealth assessments conducted by a

licensed health care provider with expertise in dyslexia diagnoses

or by an educational diagnostician;

(B) consultations with an expert in dyslexia

research from a university, medical institution, or nonprofit

organization; and

(C) advanced screening tools or additional

testing methods;

(7) develop a plan to improve dyslexia screening,

intervention, and support services in juvenile facilities; and

(8) develop a training program to improve dyslexia

identification and intervention efforts, to be provided to:

(A) juvenile facility staff responsible for

conducting dyslexia screenings; and

(B) educators who work with children committed to

juvenile facilities.

(d) The department, in collaboration with the agency, shall

establish and implement a pilot program to implement improved

dyslexia screening techniques and protocols developed under the

study described by Subsection (c) of this section.

(e) In establishing and implementing the pilot program, the

department, in collaboration with the agency, shall:

(1) designate not less than two juvenile facilities at

which to operate the pilot program;

(2) implement the innovative screening techniques

developed under Subsection (c)(6) of this section;

(3) provide targeted interventions for children with

dyslexia, as identified through the techniques implemented under

Subdivision (2) of this subsection; and

(4) annually evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot

program and determine best practices to integrate comparable

policies in additional juvenile facilities.

(f) The department shall annually prepare and submit to the

governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of

representatives, and standing committee of each house of the

legislature with primary jurisdiction over juvenile justice or

education matters a report that must include the following

information:

(1) the number of children committed to juvenile

facilities who are identified as having dyslexia;

(2) the percentage of children committed to juvenile

facilities who are identified as having dyslexia;

(3) the screening tools and assessment methods used to

identify dyslexia, including whether and which innovative

screening techniques developed under Subsection (c)(6) of this

section were used;

(4) the availability and effectiveness of educational

resources and interventions provided to children committed to

juvenile facilities who have been identified as having dyslexia;

and

(5) an evaluation of the pilot program, including data

on improved identification rates and intervention outcomes.

(g) In conducting the study under Subsection (b) of this

section or implementing the pilot program under Subsection (d) of

this section, the department may:

(1) apply for grants and federal funding;

(2) receive money appropriated by the legislature; or

(3) partner with a university, medical institution, or

nonprofit organization.

SECTION 2. This Act expires January 1, 2031.

SECTION 3. (a) Not later than September 1, 2026, the Texas

Juvenile Justice Department shall establish and implement the pilot

program described by Section 1(d) of this Act.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2030, the Texas Juvenile

Justice Department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant

governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and standing

committee of each house of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over juvenile justice or education matters the final

report regarding the results of the study conducted under Section

1(b) of this Act and the pilot program implemented under Section

1(d) of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.