S.B. No. 568 aims to enhance special education services in Texas public schools by broadening eligibility criteria and improving compliance with federal and state laws. The bill amends several sections of the Education Code to include children with visual impairments, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those who are deaf-blind as eligible for special education services. It establishes a comprehensive system for compliance, mandates annual discussions on special education performance, and requires the development of performance indicators to evaluate the quality of education for students receiving these services. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for training personnel involved in the diagnostic processes and emphasizes the importance of individualized education programs (IEPs), requiring school districts to develop processes for teachers to request reviews of these programs.

The legislation also introduces a new funding structure for special education programs, categorizing students based on the type and intensity of services required, and mandates that at least 55 percent of allocated funds be directed towards these programs. It establishes a grant system for families of students at risk of being placed in residential programs and outlines specific funding entitlements for school districts, including evaluations for students with disabilities. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the use of video cameras in special education classrooms to enhance student safety and mandates the development of a comprehensive statewide plan for children with visual impairments and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Overall, S.B. No. 568 seeks to improve the quality, accessibility, and accountability of special education services in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 8.051, Education Code 29.001, Education Code 29.003, Education Code 29.005, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.009, Education Code 29.010, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.022, Education Code 29.041, Education Code 29.042, Education Code 29.045, Education Code 29.046, Education Code 29.047, Education Code 29.048, Education Code 29.049, Education Code 29.315, Education Code 29.316, Education Code 30.001, Education Code 30.002, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.005, Education Code 30.084, Education Code 37.146, Education Code 37.144, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.103, Education Code 48.110, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 48.265, Education Code 48.279 (Education Code 48, Education Code 30, Education Code 37, Education Code 8, Education Code 29)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 7.021, Education Code 7.055, Education Code 8.051, Education Code 29.001, Education Code 29.003, Education Code 29.005, Education Code 29.0051, Education Code 29.006, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.009, Education Code 29.010, Education Code 29.012, Education Code 154.027, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.0162, Education Code 29.018, Education Code 29.020, Education Code 29.022, Education Code 29.041, Education Code 29.042, Education Code 29.045, Education Code 29.046, Education Code 29.047, Education Code 29.048, Education Code 29.049, Education Code 29.301, Education Code 29.304, Education Code 29.310, Education Code 29.313, Education Code 29.314, Education Code 29.315, Education Code 29.316, Education Code 30.002, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.004, Education Code 30.005, Education Code 30.081, Education Code 30.083, Education Code 30.021, Education Code 37.146, Education Code 37.144, Education Code 48.009, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.051, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.103, Education Code 48.110, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 48.265, Education Code 48.279 (Education Code 48, Education Code 7, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 30, Education Code 37, Education Code 8, Education Code 29, Education Code 154)
Engrossed: Education Code 7.021, Education Code 7.055, Education Code 8.051, Education Code 29.001, Education Code 29.003, Education Code 29.005, Education Code 29.0051, Education Code 29.006, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.009, Education Code 29.010, Education Code 29.012, Education Code 154.027, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.0162, Education Code 29.018, Education Code 29.020, Education Code 29.022, Education Code 29.041, Education Code 29.042, Education Code 29.045, Education Code 29.046, Education Code 29.047, Education Code 29.048, Education Code 29.049, Education Code 29.301, Education Code 29.304, Education Code 29.310, Education Code 29.313, Education Code 29.314, Education Code 29.315, Education Code 29.316, Education Code 30.002, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.004, Education Code 30.005, Education Code 30.081, Education Code 30.083, Education Code 30.021, Education Code 37.146, Education Code 37.144, Education Code 48.009, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.051, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.103, Education Code 48.110, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 48.265, Education Code 48.279 (Education Code 48, Education Code 7, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 30, Education Code 37, Education Code 8, Education Code 29, Education Code 154)
House Committee Report: Education Code 7.021, Education Code 7.055, Education Code 8.051, Education Code 29.001, Education Code 29.003, Education Code 29.005, Education Code 29.0051, Education Code 29.006, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.009, Education Code 29.010, Education Code 29.012, Education Code 154.027, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.0162, Education Code 29.018, Education Code 29.020, Education Code 29.022, Education Code 29.041, Education Code 29.042, Education Code 29.045, Education Code 29.046, Education Code 29.047, Education Code 29.048, Education Code 29.049, Education Code 29.301, Education Code 29.304, Education Code 29.310, Education Code 29.313, Education Code 29.314, Education Code 29.315, Education Code 29.316, Education Code 30.002, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.004, Education Code 30.005, Education Code 30.021, Education Code 30.081, Education Code 30.083, Education Code 37.146, Education Code 37.144, Education Code 48.009, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.103, Education Code 48.110, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 48.265, Education Code 48.279 (Education Code 48, Education Code 7, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 30, Education Code 37, Education Code 8, Education Code 29, Education Code 154)
Enrolled: Education Code 7.021, Education Code 7.055, Education Code 8.051, Education Code 29.001, Education Code 29.003, Education Code 29.005, Education Code 29.0051, Education Code 29.006, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.009, Education Code 29.010, Education Code 29.012, Education Code 154.027, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.0162, Education Code 29.018, Education Code 29.020, Education Code 29.022, Education Code 29.041, Education Code 29.042, Education Code 29.045, Education Code 29.046, Education Code 29.047, Education Code 29.048, Education Code 29.049, Education Code 29.301, Education Code 29.304, Education Code 29.310, Education Code 29.313, Education Code 29.314, Education Code 29.315, Education Code 29.316, Education Code 30.002, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.004, Education Code 30.005, Education Code 30.021, Education Code 30.081, Education Code 30.083, Education Code 37.146, Education Code 37.144, Education Code 48.009, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.103, Education Code 48.110, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 48.265, Education Code 48.279 (Education Code 48, Education Code 7, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 30, Education Code 37, Education Code 8, Education Code 29, Education Code 154)