The bill, H.B. No. 430, proposes amendments to the Education Code regarding the terminology used to define certain disabilities for eligibility in special education services within public schools. Specifically, it updates the language in Section 29.003 by replacing the term "emotional disturbance" with "emotional dysregulation" in the list of disabilities that qualify a student for special education services. This change aims to align the state's terminology with federal definitions, ensuring consistency in the understanding of disabilities.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection (c) that clarifies the meaning of "emotional dysregulation" by referencing the definition provided in federal regulations (34 C.F.R. Section 300.8(c)(4)). The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, allowing for a transition period for schools to adapt to the new terminology and definitions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.003 (Education Code 29)