88(3) HB 92 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of community-based learning centers |
 
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to serve public school students. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 33.915 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  33.915.    COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING CENTERS.  (a) In |
 
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this section, "center" means a community-based learning center |
 
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established under Subsection (b). |
 
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             (b)    The agency shall establish, in collaboration with |
 
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faith-based nonprofit organizations, a program for the development |
 
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and operation of community-based learning centers in various school |
 
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districts to provide students, including students attending a |
 
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private school, course, or educational program using funds from an |
 
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education savings account under the education savings account |
 
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program, who qualify for compensatory education, as determined by |
 
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the commissioner, with access to: |
 
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                         (1)    technology; |
 
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                         (2)    tutoring services; |
 
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                         (3)    mentoring services; |
 
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                         (4)    social and emotional support; |
 
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                         (5)    outdoor activities; |
 
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                         (6)    art; |
 
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                         (7)    sports; and |
 
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                         (8)    individually designed services and supports that |
 
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may include treatment services, personal support services, or any |
 
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other support necessary to improve academic and social outcomes for |
 
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a student, as determined by a center. |
 
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             (c)    The agency shall adopt minimum training and skills |
 
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requirements that each individual providing services through the |
 
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center must satisfy. |
 
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             (d)    From funds appropriated for the purpose, the agency |
 
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shall pay the costs for developing and operating a center.  The |
 
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agency shall actively seek federal grants or funds to pay costs |
 
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associated with the establishment and operation of each center. |
 
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             (e)    The agency by rule shall establish a procedure for |
 
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distributing funds to a school district or other appropriate entity |
 
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approved by the agency to establish and operate or contract for the |
 
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operation of a center. |
 
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             (f)    In addition to money appropriated by the legislature, |
 
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the agency may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source |
 
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for establishing the program. |
 
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             (g)    The agency may adopt rules as necessary to implement |
 
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this section, including: |
 
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                         (1)    rules regarding an application process and |
 
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eligibility criteria to develop and operate a center; and |
 
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                         (2)    rules for determining whether a student attending |
 
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a private school, course, or educational program using funds from |
 
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an education savings account qualifies for compensatory education |
 
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for purposes of this section. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
 
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last day of the legislative session. |