The bill, H.B. No. 3956, establishes a parent-directed supplemental services and instructional materials program for public school students in Texas by adding Subchapter S to Chapter 29 of the Education Code. This program allows parents of eligible students to select supplemental services and instructional materials, which can include textbooks, technology, and private tutoring. The Texas Education Agency is tasked with administering the program, providing grants to approved students for purchasing these materials and services, and maintaining an online account system for parents to access their grants. The bill also outlines eligibility criteria for students, prioritizing those who qualify for compensatory education allotments, and allows for the transfer of account control from parents to students upon graduation.

Additionally, the bill introduces a grant amount of $1,000 or more for students participating in the program, as specified in the newly added Section 48.319 of Chapter 48. It permits approved school districts or charter schools to charge fees for supplemental services that are not otherwise provided. The bill mandates that the commissioner of education adopt necessary rules for the program's implementation by December 1, 2026, and it will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

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