The bill, H.B. No. 371, amends the Education Code to address the admission of children unlawfully present in the United States to public schools and their eligibility for benefits from the available school fund and the Foundation School Program. It introduces new provisions that allow school districts to admit students who are not citizens or nationals of the United States, or aliens lawfully present, under specific conditions. These conditions include the requirement that the U.S. government has an agreement with the state to cover the educational costs for these students, and that they meet other eligibility criteria for admission.

Additionally, the bill establishes that school districts must verify a student's eligibility for admission, including proof of residency and citizenship status. It mandates that the Texas Education Agency seek an agreement with the U.S. government to fund the education of students admitted under the new provisions. The bill specifies that these changes will take effect starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 25.001, Education Code 48.003 (Education Code 25, Education Code 48)