H.B. No. 1706 aims to enhance the requirements for individualized education programs (IEPs) for children with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders in Texas. The bill introduces new provisions that mandate admission, review, and dismissal committees to consider specific strategies identified by the commissioner as appropriate for these children. These strategies must be based on peer-reviewed, research-based educational practices. If a committee decides that a strategy is not suitable for inclusion in a child's IEP, they are required to document this decision along with the rationale in the child's educational records.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that school districts must provide parents with written information about these strategies at least seven days before committee meetings. If a parent does not speak English, the district is obligated to provide translated materials in Spanish or make a good faith effort to translate the information into the parent's native language. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will be enacted immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the legislature.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.005 (Education Code 29)