By: Creighton, et al. S.B. No. 8
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to public education, including parental rights and public
  school responsibilities regarding instructional materials and the
  establishment of an education savings account program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1.  PARENTAL RIGHTS AND CURRICULUM
         SECTION 1.001.  Chapter 1, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Section 1.009 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1.009.  INFRINGEMENT OF PARENTAL RIGHTS PROHIBITED.
  The fundamental rights granted to parents by their Creator and
  upheld by the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution,
  and the laws of this state, including the right to direct the moral
  and religious training of the parent's child, make decisions
  concerning the child's education, and consent to medical,
  psychiatric, and psychological treatment of the parent's child
  under Section 151.001, Family Code, may not be infringed on by any
  public elementary or secondary school or state governmental entity,
  including the state or a political subdivision of the state, unless
  the infringement is:
               (1)  necessary to further a compelling state interest,
  such as providing life-saving care to a child; and
               (2)  narrowly tailored using the least restrictive
  means to achieve that compelling state interest.
         SECTION 1.002.  Section 11.161, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 11.161.  FRIVOLOUS SUIT OR PROCEEDING.  (a)  In a civil
  suit or administrative proceeding brought under state law or rules 
  [,] against an independent school district or an officer of an
  independent school district acting under color of office, the court
  or another person authorized to make decisions regarding the
  proceeding may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees if:
               (1)  the court or other authorized person finds that
  the suit or proceeding is frivolous, unreasonable, and without
  foundation; and
               (2)  the suit or proceeding is dismissed or judgment is
  for the defendant.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a civil suit or
  administrative proceeding brought under the Individuals with
  Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.).  A
  civil suit or administrative proceeding described by this
  subsection is governed by the attorney's fees provisions under 20
  U.S.C. Section 1415.
         SECTION 1.003.  Section 25.036, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec.  25.036.  TRANSFER OF STUDENT.  (a)  Any child, other
  than a high school graduate, who is younger than 21 years of age and
  eligible for enrollment on September 1 of any school year may apply
  to transfer for in-person instruction annually from the child's
  school district of residence to another district in this state for
  in-person instruction [if both the receiving district and the
  applicant parent or guardian or person having lawful control of the
  child jointly approve and timely agree in writing to the transfer].
         (b)  A transfer application approved [agreement] under this
  section shall be filed and preserved as a receiving district record
  for audit purposes of the agency.
         (c)  A school district may deny approval of a transfer under
  this section only if: 
               (1)  the district or a school in the district to which a
  student seeks to transfer is at full student capacity or has more
  requests for transfers than available positions after the district
  has filled available positions in accordance with Subsection (e);
               (2)  at the time a student seeks to transfer, the
  student is suspended or expelled by the district in which the
  student is enrolled; or
               (3)  approving the transfer would supersede a
  court-ordered desegregation plan.
         (d)  For the purpose of determining whether a school in a
  school district is at full student capacity under Subsection
  (c)(1), the district may not consider equity as a factor in the
  district's decision-making process.
         (e)  A school district that has more applicants for transfer
  under this section than available positions must fill the available
  positions by lottery and must give priority to applicants in the
  following order:
               (1)  students who:
                     (A)  do not reside in the district but were
  enrolled in the district in the preceding school year; or
                     (B)  are dependents of an employee of the
  receiving district; and
               (2)  students:
                     (A)  receiving special education services under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 29;
                     (B)  who are dependents of military personnel;
                     (C)  who are dependents of law enforcement
  personnel;
                     (D)  in foster care;
                     (E)  who are the subject of court-ordered
  modification of an order establishing conservatorship or
  possession and access; or
                     (F)  who are siblings of a student who is enrolled
  in the receiving district at the time the student seeks to transfer.
         (f)  A student who transfers to another school district under
  this section may not be charged tuition. The student is included in
  the average daily attendance of the district to which the student
  transfers, beginning on the date the student begins attending
  classes at that district.
         (g)  A receiving school district may, but is not required to,
  provide transportation to a student who transfers to the receiving
  district under this section.
         (h)  A receiving school district may revoke, at any time
  during the school year, the approval of the student's transfer if:
               (1)  the student:
                     (A)  fails to comply with a condition specified in
  the agreement that is:
                           (i)  a circumstance specified in the student
  code of conduct under Section 37.001(a)(1);
                           (ii)  a condition specified in the student
  code of conduct under Section 37.001(a)(2);
                           (iii)  conduct for which a student is
  required or permitted to be removed from class and placed in a
  disciplinary alternative education program under Section 37.006;
  or
                           (iv)  conduct for which a student is
  required or permitted to be expelled from school under Section
  37.007; or
                     (B)  fails to maintain a specified school
  attendance rate; and
               (2)  before revoking approval of the student's
  transfer, the district ensures the student is afforded appropriate
  due process and complies with any requirements of state law or
  district policy relating to the expulsion of a student to the same
  extent as if the student were being expelled under Section 37.007.
         SECTION 1.004.  Section 26.001, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (c), (d), and (e) and adding
  Subsections (a-1) and (c-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  As provided under Section 151.001, Family Code, a parent
  has the right to direct the moral and religious training of the
  parent's child, make decisions concerning the child's education,
  and consent to medical, psychiatric, and psychological treatment of
  the child without obstruction or interference from this state, any
  political subdivision of this state, a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school, or any other governmental entity.
         (a-1)  Parents are partners with educators, administrators,
  and school district boards of trustees in their children's
  education.  Parents shall be encouraged to actively participate in
  creating and implementing educational programs for their children.
         (c)  Unless otherwise provided by law, a board of trustees,
  administrator, educator, or other person shall comply with Section
  1.009 and may not limit parental rights or withhold information
  from a parent regarding the parent's child.
         (c-1)  A school district may not be considered to have
  withheld information from a parent regarding the parent's child if
  the district's actions are in accordance with other law, including
  the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1232g).
         (d)  Each board of trustees shall:
               (1)  provide for procedures to consider complaints that
  a parent's right has been denied; [.]
               (2)  develop a plan for parental participation in the
  district to improve parent and teacher cooperation, including in
  the areas of homework, school attendance, and discipline;
               (3)  [(e)  Each board of trustees shall] cooperate in
  the establishment of ongoing operations of at least one
  parent-teacher organization at each school in the district to
  promote parental involvement in school activities; and
               (4)  provide to a parent of a child on the child's
  enrollment in the district for the first time and to the parent of
  each child enrolled in the district at the beginning of each school
  year information about parental rights and options, including the
  right to withhold consent for or exempt the parent's child from
  certain activities and instruction, that addresses the parent's
  rights and options concerning:
                     (A)  the child's course of study and supplemental
  services;
                     (B)  instructional materials and library
  materials;
                     (C)  health education instruction under Section
  28.004;
                     (D)  instruction regarding sexual orientation and
  gender identity under Section 28.0043;
                     (E)  school options, including virtual and remote
  schooling options;
                     (F)  immunizations under Section 38.001;
                     (G)  gifted and talented programs;
                     (H)  promotion, retention, and graduation
  policies;
                     (I)  grade, class rank, and attendance
  information;
                     (J)  state standards and requirements;
                     (K)  data collection practices;
                     (L)  health care services, including notice and
  consent under Section 26.0083(g); and
                     (M)  the local grievance procedure under Section
  26.011.
         (e)  The agency shall develop a form for use by school
  districts in providing information about parental rights and
  options under Subsection (d)(4).  Each school district shall post
  the form in a prominent location on the district's Internet
  website.
         SECTION 1.005.  Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Sections 26.0026, 26.0061, and 26.0083 to read as follows:
         Sec. 26.0026.  RIGHT TO SELECT EDUCATIONAL SETTING.  A
  parent is entitled to choose the educational setting for the
  parent's child, including public school, private school, or home
  school.
         Sec. 26.0061.  RIGHT TO REQUEST INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL
  REVIEW.  (a)  The board of trustees of each school district shall
  establish a process by which a parent of a student, as indicated on
  the student registration form at the student's campus, may request
  an instructional material review under Section 31.0236 for a
  subject area in the grade level in which the student is enrolled.
         (b)  A process established under Subsection (a):
               (1)  may not require more than one parent of a student
  to make the request;
               (2)  must provide for the board of trustees of the
  school district to determine if the request will be granted, either
  originally or through an appeal process; and
               (3)  may permit the requesting parent to review the
  instructional material directly before the district conducts an
  instructional material review under Section 31.0236.
         (c)  If the parents of at least 25 percent of the students
  enrolled at a campus present to the board of trustees of the school
  district in which the campus is located a petition for the board to
  conduct an instructional material review under Section 31.0236, the
  board shall conduct the review, unless, by a majority vote, the
  board denies the request.
         (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), if the parents of at
  least 50 percent of the students enrolled at a school district
  campus present to the board of trustees of the district a petition
  to conduct an instructional material review under Section 31.0236,
  the board shall conduct the review.
         (e)  A review conducted under Subsection (c) or (d) shall
  include a review of instructional materials for each subject area
  or grade level specified in the petition.
         (f)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         Sec. 26.0083.  RIGHT TO INFORMATION REGARDING MENTAL,
  EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES.  (a)
  The agency shall adopt a procedure for school districts to notify
  the parent of a student enrolled in the district regarding any
  change in services provided to or monitoring of the student related
  to the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or
  well-being.
         (b)  A procedure adopted under Subsection (a) must reinforce
  the fundamental right of a parent to make decisions regarding the
  upbringing and control of the parent's child by requiring school
  district personnel to:
               (1)  encourage a student to discuss issues relating to
  the student's well-being with the student's parent; or
               (2)  facilitate a discussion described under
  Subdivision (1).
         (c)  A school district may not adopt a procedure that:
               (1)  prohibits a district employee from notifying the
  parent of a student regarding:
                     (A)  information about the student's mental,
  emotional, or physical health or well-being; or
                     (B)  a change in services provided to or
  monitoring of the student related to the student's mental,
  emotional, or physical health or well-being;
               (2)  encourages or has the effect of encouraging a
  student to withhold from the student's parent information described
  by Subdivision (1)(A); or
               (3)  prevents a parent from accessing education or
  health records concerning the parent's child.
         (d)  Subsections (a) and (c) do not require the disclosure of
  information to a parent if a reasonably prudent person would
  believe the disclosure is likely to result in the student suffering
  abuse or neglect, as those terms are defined by Section 261.001,
  Family Code.
         (e)  A school district employee may not discourage or
  prohibit parental knowledge of or involvement in critical decisions
  affecting a student's mental, emotional, or physical health or
  well-being.
         (f)  Any student support services training developed or
  provided by a school district to district employees must comply
  with any student services guidelines, standards, and frameworks
  established by the State Board of Education and the agency.
         (g)  Before the first instructional day of each school year,
  a school district shall provide to the parent of each student
  enrolled in the district written notice of each health-related
  service offered at the district campus the student attends.  The
  notice must include a statement of the parent's right to withhold
  consent for or decline a health-related service.  A parent's
  consent to a health-related service does not waive a requirement of
  Subsection (a), (c), or (e).
         (h)  Before administering a student well-being questionnaire
  or health screening form to a student enrolled in prekindergarten
  through 12th grade, a school district must provide a copy of the
  questionnaire or form to the student's parent and obtain the
  parent's consent to administer the questionnaire or form.
         (i)  This section may not be construed to:
               (1)  limit or alter the requirements of Section 38.004
  of this code or Chapter 261, Family Code; or
               (2)  limit a school district employee's ability to
  inquire about a student's daily well-being without parental
  consent.
         (j)  Not later than June 30, 2024, the agency, the State
  Board of Education, and the State Board for Educator Certification,
  as appropriate, shall review and revise as necessary the following
  to ensure compliance with this section:
               (1)  school counseling frameworks and standards;
               (2)  educator practices and professional conduct
  principles; and
               (3)  any other student services personnel guidelines,
  standards, or frameworks.
         (k)  Subsection (j) and this subsection expire September 1,
  2025.
         SECTION 1.006.  Section 26.004(b), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A parent is entitled to access to all written records of
  a school district concerning the parent's child, including:
               (1)  attendance records;
               (2)  test scores;
               (3)  grades;
               (4)  disciplinary records;
               (5)  counseling records;
               (6)  psychological records;
               (7)  applications for admission;
               (8)  medical records in accordance with Section
  38.0095, including health and immunization information;
               (9)  teacher and school counselor evaluations;
               (10)  reports of behavioral patterns; and
               (11)  records relating to assistance provided for
  learning difficulties, including information collected regarding
  any intervention strategies used with the child.
         SECTION 1.007.  Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Section 26.0071 to read as follows:
         Sec. 26.0071.  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT POLICY. Each board of
  trustees of a school district shall develop a parental engagement
  policy that:
               (1)  provides for an Internet portal through which
  parents of students enrolled in the district may submit comments to
  campus or district administrators and the board;
               (2)  requires the board to prioritize public comments
  by presenting those comments at the beginning of each board
  meeting; and
               (3)  requires board meetings to be held outside of
  typical work hours.
         SECTION 1.008.  Section 26.008, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 26.008.  RIGHT TO FULL INFORMATION CONCERNING STUDENT.  
  (a)  Except as provided by Section 38.004, a [A] parent is entitled
  to:
               (1)  full information regarding the school activities
  of a parent's child; and
               (2)  notification not later than one school business
  day after the date a school district employee first suspects that a
  criminal offense has been committed against the parent's child 
  [except as provided by Section 38.004].
         (b)  An attempt by any school district employee to encourage
  or coerce a child to withhold information from the child's parent is
  grounds for discipline under Section 21.104, 21.156, or 21.211, as
  applicable, or by the State Board for Educator Certification, if
  applicable.
         SECTION 1.009.  Section 26.009, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2),
  (a-3), (c), and (d) to read as follows:
         (a)  An employee of a school district must obtain the written
  consent of a child's parent in the manner required by Subsection
  (a-2) before the employee may:
               (1)  conduct a psychological examination, test, or
  treatment, unless the examination, test, or treatment is required
  under Section 38.004 or state or federal law regarding requirements
  for special education; [or]
               (2)  subject to Subsection (b), make or authorize the
  making of a videotape of a child or record or authorize the
  recording of a child's voice;
               (3)  unless authorized by other law:
                     (A)  disclose a child's health or medical
  information to any person other than the child's parent; or
                     (B)  collect, use, store, or disclose to any
  person other than the child's parent a child's biometric
  identifiers; or
               (4)  subject to Subsection (a-3), provide health care
  services or medication or conduct a medical procedure.
         (a-1)  For purposes of Subsection (a), "biometric
  identifier" means a blood sample, hair sample, skin sample, DNA
  sample, body scan, retina or iris scan, fingerprint, voiceprint, or
  record of hand or face geometry.
         (a-2)  Written consent for a parent's child to participate in
  a district activity described by Subsection (a) must be signed by
  the parent and returned to the district. A child may not
  participate in the activity unless the district receives the
  parent's signed written consent to that activity.
         (a-3)  For the purpose of obtaining written consent for
  actions described by Subsection (a)(4) that are determined by a
  school district to be routine care provided by a person who is
  authorized by the district to provide physical or mental
  health-related services, the district may obtain consent at the
  beginning of the school year or at the time of the child's
  enrollment in the district.  Unless otherwise provided by a child's
  parent, written consent obtained in accordance with this subsection
  is effective until the end of the school year in which the consent
  was obtained.
         (c)  Before the first instructional day of each school year,
  a school district shall provide to the parent of each student
  enrolled in the district written notice of any actions the district
  may take involving the authorized collection, use, or storage of
  information as described by Subsection (a)(3). The notice must:
               (1)  include a plain language explanation for the
  district's collection, use, or storage of the child's information
  and the district's legal authority to engage in that collection,
  use, or storage; and
               (2)  be signed by the parent and returned to the
  district.
         (d)  A school district shall take disciplinary action
  against an employee responsible for allowing a child to participate
  in an activity described by Subsection (a)(4) if the district did
  not obtain a parent's consent for the child's participation in that
  activity.
         SECTION 1.010.  Section 26.011, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 26.011.  LOCAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE [COMPLAINTS].
  (a)  The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt a
  grievance procedure under which the board shall:
               (1)  address each grievance [complaint] that the board
  receives concerning a violation of a right guaranteed by Section
  1.009 or this chapter:
                     (A)  if the grievance is filed not later than six
  school weeks after the date on which the parent received notice of
  an incident giving rise to the grievance; or
                     (B)  regardless of whether the grievance was filed
  during the period prescribed by Paragraph (A) if the grievance was
  informally brought to the attention of school district personnel
  during that period;
               (2)  allow a parent at any time before a final decision
  by the board to provide additional evidence regarding the parent's
  grievance; and
               (3)  allow a parent to file more than one grievance at
  the same time.
         (b)  The board of trustees of a school district is not
  required by Subsection (a) or Section 11.1511(b)(13) to address a
  grievance [complaint] that the board receives concerning a
  student's participation in an extracurricular activity that does
  not involve a violation of a right guaranteed by this chapter.  This
  subsection does not affect a claim brought by a parent under the
  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400
  et seq.) or a successor federal statute addressing special
  education services for a child with a disability.
         (c)  The board of trustees of a school district shall ensure
  a grievance procedure adopted under Subsection (a):
               (1)  authorizes a parent to file a grievance with the
  principal of the district campus the parent's child attends or the
  person designated by the district to receive grievances for that
  campus;
               (2)  requires that a principal or the person designated
  by the district to receive grievances for a campus:
                     (A)  acknowledge receipt of a grievance under
  Subdivision (1) not later than two school business days after
  receipt of the grievance; and
                     (B)  not later than the 14th school business day
  after receipt of a grievance described by Subdivision (1), provide
  to the parent who submitted the grievance written documentation of
  the decision regarding the issue that gave rise to the grievance,
  including:
                           (i)  an explanation of the findings that
  contributed to the decision;
                           (ii)  notification regarding the parent's
  right to appeal the decision; and 
                           (iii)  the timeline for appealing the
  decision;
               (3)  requires that, if a parent appeals a decision
  under Subdivision (2) not later than the 14th school business day
  after receiving notice of the decision, the superintendent or the
  superintendent's designee provide to the parent not later than the
  14th school business day after receipt of the appeal written
  documentation of the decision regarding the issue that gave rise to
  the grievance, including:
                     (A)  an explanation of the findings that
  contributed to the decision;
                     (B)  notification regarding the parent's right to
  appeal the decision; and
                     (C)  the timeline for appealing the decision;
               (4)  requires that, if a parent appeals a decision
  under Subdivision (3) not later than the 14th school business day
  after receiving notice of the decision, the board hear the
  grievance in a closed session at the board's next regular meeting
  that occurs on or after the 14th school business day after the date
  the board receives notice of the appeal; and
               (5)  requires that, not later than the 10th school
  business day after the date of a board meeting described by
  Subdivision (4), the board provide to the parent written
  documentation of the board's decision regarding the issue that gave
  rise to the grievance, including notice that the parent may appeal
  to the commissioner in writing under Section 7.057, if applicable.
         (d)  The parties may mutually agree to adjust the timeline
  for the procedure under this section.
         (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (d), if a grievance
  submitted under this section involves an employee who is on
  documented leave that is scheduled to begin or has begun before the
  grievance is submitted, the district may alter the timeline for the
  procedure under this section to make a reasonable accommodation for
  the employee's leave. The district must provide notice of the
  change to the parent who submitted the grievance.
         SECTION 1.011.  Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Sections 26.0111 and 26.0112 to read as follows:
         Sec. 26.0111.  GRIEVANCE HEARING BEFORE HEARING EXAMINER.
  (a)  This section applies only to a grievance regarding a violation
  of:
               (1)  Section 28.0022, 28.004, or 28.0043 or Chapter 38
  or the implementation of those provisions by a school district; or
               (2)  Chapter 551, Government Code, involving school
  district personnel.
         (b)  If a parent has exhausted the parent's options under the
  local grievance procedure established by the board of trustees of a
  school district under Section 26.011 regarding a grievance to which
  this section applies, and the grievance is not resolved to a
  parent's satisfaction, the parent may file a written request with
  the commissioner for a hearing before a hearing examiner under this
  section not later than the 30th school business day after the date
  on which the board of trustees of the district resolved the parent's
  grievance under Section 26.011. The parent must provide the
  district with a copy of the request and must provide the
  commissioner with a copy of the district's resolution of the
  grievance. The parties may agree in writing to extend by not more
  than 10 school business days the deadline for requesting a hearing.
         (c)  The commissioner shall assign a hearing examiner to
  review the grievance in the manner provided by Section 21.254.  The
  hearing examiner has the powers described by Sections 21.255 and
  21.256 and shall conduct the hearing in the manner provided by those
  sections as if the parent were a teacher.
         (d)  Not later than the 60th business day after the date on
  which the commissioner receives a parent's written request for a
  hearing, the hearing examiner shall complete the hearing and make a
  written recommendation that includes proposed findings of fact and
  conclusions of law.  The recommendation of the hearing examiner is
  final and may not be appealed.
         (e)  Sections 21.257(c), (d), and (e) apply to a hearing
  under this section in the same manner as a hearing conducted under
  Subchapter F, Chapter 21.
         (f)  Section 21.258 applies to the State Board of Education
  in the same manner as if the board were the board of trustees of the
  school district or board subcommittee.
         (g)  Chapter 2001, Government Code, does not apply to the
  State Board of Education's actions regarding the recommendation of
  the hearing examiner.
         (h)  The costs of the hearing examiner, the court reporter,
  the original hearing transcript, and any hearing room costs, if the
  hearing room is not provided by the school district, shall be paid
  by the school district if the hearing examiner finds in favor of the
  parent.
         (i)  Notwithstanding Subsection (d), if a parent fails to
  appear at a hearing under this section, the hearing examiner is not
  required to complete the hearing and may not make a recommendation
  in favor of the parent.
         Sec. 26.0112.  TESTIMONY BEFORE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
  If a hearing examiner reviews and finds against a school district
  under Section 26.0111 in at least five grievances to which that
  section applies involving the district during a school year, the
  superintendent of the school district must appear before the State
  Board of Education to testify regarding the hearing examiner's
  findings and the frequency of grievances against the district.
         SECTION 1.012.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c-4) to read as follows:
         (c-4)  The State Board of Education may not adopt standards
  in violation of Section 28.0043.
         SECTION 1.013.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.0043 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0043.  RESTRICTION ON INSTRUCTION REGARDING SEXUAL
  ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY. (a)  A school district,
  open-enrollment charter school, or district or charter school
  employee may not provide or allow a third party to provide
  instruction, guidance, activities, or programming regarding sexual
  orientation or gender identity to students enrolled in
  prekindergarten through 12th grade.
         (b)  This section may not be construed to limit:
               (1)  a student's ability to engage in speech or
  expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the United
  States Constitution or by Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution,
  that does not result in material disruption to school activities;
  or
               (2)  the ability of a person who is authorized by the
  district to provide physical or mental health-related services to
  provide the services to a student, subject to any required parental
  consent.
         SECTION 1.014.  Section 28.02124, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2)
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Subsection (c), a parent or guardian may
  elect for a student to:
               (1)  repeat prekindergarten;
               (2)  enroll in prekindergarten, if the student would
  have been eligible to enroll in prekindergarten during the previous
  school year under Section 29.153(b) and the student has not yet
  enrolled in kindergarten;
               (3)  repeat kindergarten;
               (4)  enroll in kindergarten, if the student would have
  been eligible to enroll in kindergarten in the previous school year
  and has not yet enrolled in first grade; or
               (5)  for grades one through eight [three], repeat the
  grade in which the student was enrolled during the previous school
  year.
         (a-1)  Subject to Subsection (c), for courses taken for high
  school credit, a parent or guardian may elect for a student to
  repeat any course in which the student was enrolled during the
  previous school year.  A parent or guardian may not elect for a
  student to repeat a course under this subsection if the school
  district or open-enrollment charter school determines the student
  has met all of the requirements for graduation.
         (a-2)  A parent or guardian may make an election under
  Subsection (a)(5) or (a-1), or both.
         SECTION 1.015.  The heading to Section 28.022, Education
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.022.  NOTICE TO PARENT OF UNSATISFACTORY
  PERFORMANCE; CONFERENCES.
         SECTION 1.016.  Section 28.022(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The board of trustees of each school district shall
  adopt a policy that:
               (1)  provides for at least two opportunities for
  in-person conferences during each school year [a conference]
  between each parent of a child enrolled in the district and the
  child's [parents and] teachers;
               (2)  requires the district, at least once every 12
  weeks, to give written notice to a parent of a student's performance
  in each class or subject; and
               (3)  requires the district, at least once every three
  weeks, or during the fourth week of each nine-week grading period,
  to give written notice to a parent or legal guardian of a student's
  performance in a subject included in the foundation curriculum
  under Section 28.002(a)(1) if the student's performance in the
  subject is consistently unsatisfactory, as determined by the
  district.
         SECTION 1.017.  Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 31.0236 to read as follows:
         Sec. 31.0236.  LOCAL REVIEW OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONAL
  MATERIAL.  (a)  The agency shall adopt rules developing a process by
  which a school district may conduct a review of instructional
  materials used by a classroom teacher in a foundation curriculum
  course under Section 28.002(a)(1) to determine the degree to which
  the material:
               (1)  complies with the instructional materials adopted
  by the school district; and
               (2)  is appropriately rigorous for the grade level in
  which it is being used.
         (b)  A review conducted under this section may only be
  conducted using a rubric developed by the agency and approved by the
  State Board of Education.
         (c)  The agency, in developing a review process under
  Subsection (a):
               (1)  shall minimize, to the extent possible, the time a
  classroom teacher is required to spend complying with a review
  conducted under this section;
               (2)  may not require a teacher to spend more than 30
  minutes on a single review conducted under this section unless the
  teacher determines that spending more than 30 minutes on the review
  is necessary; and
               (3)  shall permit a regional education service center
  to conduct the review for a school district, if the center has
  completed the training offered by the agency under Subsection (d).
         (d)  The agency shall provide to regional education service
  centers training relating to appropriately conducting a review
  under this section.
         SECTION 1.018.  Section 12.104(b), Education Code, as
  amended by Chapters 542 (S.B. 168), 887 (S.B. 1697), 915 (H.B.
  3607), 974 (S.B. 2081), and 1046 (S.B. 1365), Acts of the 87th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, is reenacted and amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  An open-enrollment charter school is subject to:
               (1)  a provision of this title establishing a criminal
  offense;
               (2)  the provisions in Chapter 554, Government Code;
  and
               (3)  a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as
  applicable, imposed by this title or a rule adopted under this
  title, relating to:
                     (A)  the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS) to the extent necessary to monitor compliance with
  this subchapter as determined by the commissioner;
                     (B)  criminal history records under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 22;
                     (C)  reading instruments and accelerated reading
  instruction programs under Section 28.006;
                     (D)  accelerated instruction under Section
  28.0211;
                     (E)  high school graduation requirements under
  Section 28.025;
                     (F)  special education programs under Subchapter
  A, Chapter 29;
                     (G)  bilingual education under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 29;
                     (H)  prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E
  or E-1, Chapter 29, except class size limits for prekindergarten
  classes imposed under Section 25.112, which do not apply;
                     (I)  extracurricular activities under Section
  33.081;
                     (J)  discipline management practices or behavior
  management techniques under Section 37.0021;
                     (K)  health and safety under Chapter 38;
                     (L)  the provisions of Subchapter A, Chapter 39;
                     (M)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, F, G, and J, Chapter
  39, and Chapter 39A;
                     (N)  the requirement under Section 21.006 to
  report an educator's misconduct;
                     (O)  intensive programs of instruction under
  Section 28.0213;
                     (P)  the right of a school employee to report a
  crime, as provided by Section 37.148;
                     (Q)  bullying prevention policies and procedures
  under Section 37.0832;
                     (R)  the right of a school under Section 37.0052
  to place a student who has engaged in certain bullying behavior in a
  disciplinary alternative education program or to expel the student;
                     (S)  the right under Section 37.0151 to report to
  local law enforcement certain conduct constituting assault or
  harassment;
                     (T)  a parent's right to information regarding the
  provision of assistance for learning difficulties to the parent's
  child as provided by Sections 26.004(b)(11) and 26.0081(c) and (d);
                     (U)  establishment of residency under Section
  25.001;
                     (V)  school safety requirements under Sections
  37.108, 37.1081, 37.1082, 37.109, 37.113, 37.114, 37.1141, 37.115,
  37.207, and 37.2071;
                     (W)  the early childhood literacy and mathematics
  proficiency plans under Section 11.185;
                     (X)  the college, career, and military readiness
  plans under Section 11.186; [and]
                     (Y) [(X)]  parental options to retain a student
  under Section 28.02124;
                     (Z)  parental access to instructional materials
  and curricula under Section 26.0061;
                     (AA)  the adoption of a community engagement
  policy as provided by Section 26.0071; and
                     (BB)  parental rights to information regarding a
  student's mental, emotional, and physical health-related needs and
  related services offered by the school as provided by Section
  26.0083.
         SECTION 1.019.  Section 28.004(i-3), Education Code, is
  repealed.
  ARTICLE 2.  EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
         SECTION 2.001.  The purpose of this article is to:
               (1)  provide additional educational options to assist
  families in this state in exercising the right to direct the
  educational needs of their children; and
               (2)  achieve a general diffusion of knowledge.
         SECTION 2.002.  Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER J. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
         Sec. 29.351.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Account" means an education savings account
  established under the program.
               (2)  "Certified educational assistance organization"
  means an organization certified under Section 29.354 to support the
  administration of the program.
               (3)  "Child with a disability" means a child who is
  eligible to participate in a school district's special education
  program under Section 29.003.
               (4)  "Higher education provider" means an institution
  of higher education or a private or independent institution of
  higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003.
               (5)  "Parent" means a resident of this state who is a
  natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator,
  legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to
  act on behalf of a child.
               (6)  "Program" means the program established under this
  subchapter.
               (7)  "Program participant" means a child and a parent
  of a child enrolled in the program.
         Sec. 29.352.  ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. The comptroller
  shall establish a program to provide funding for approved
  education-related expenses of children participating in the
  program.
         Sec. 29.353.  PROGRAM FUND. (a) The program fund is an
  account in the general revenue fund to be administered by the
  comptroller.
         (b)  The fund is composed of:
               (1)  general revenue transferred to the fund;
               (2)  money appropriated to the fund;
               (3)  gifts, grants, and donations received under
  Section 29.370; and
               (4)  any other money available for purposes of the
  program.
         (c)  Money in the fund may be appropriated only for the uses
  specified by this subchapter.
         Sec. 29.354.  SELECTION OF CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
  ORGANIZATIONS. (a) An organization may apply to the comptroller
  for certification as a certified educational assistance
  organization during an application period established by the
  comptroller.
         (b)  To be eligible for certification, an organization must:
               (1)  have the ability to perform the duties and
  functions required of a certified educational assistance
  organization under this subchapter;
               (2)  be in good standing with the state; and
               (3)  be able to assist the comptroller in administering
  the program, including the ability to:
                     (A)  accept, process, and track applications for
  the program;
                     (B)  assist prospective applicants, applicants,
  and program participants with finding preapproved education
  service providers and vendors of educational products;
                     (C)  accept and process payments for approved
  education-related expenses; and
                     (D)  verify that program funding is used only for
  approved education-related expenses.
         (c)  The comptroller may certify not more than five
  educational assistance organizations to support the administration
  of the program, including by:
               (1)  administering:
                     (A)  the application process under Section
  29.356; and
                     (B)  the program expenditures process under
  Section 29.360; and
               (2)  assisting prospective applicants, applicants, and
  program participants with understanding approved education-related
  expenses and finding preapproved education service providers and
  vendors of educational products.
         Sec. 29.355.  ELIGIBLE CHILD. (a) A child is eligible to
  participate in the program and may, subject to available funding
  and the requirements of this subchapter, initially enroll in the
  program for the school year following the school year in which the
  child's application is submitted under Section 29.356 if the child:
               (1)  is eligible to:
                     (A)  attend a public school under Section 25.001;
  or
                     (B)  enroll in a public school's prekindergarten
  program under Section 29.153; and
               (2)  either:
                     (A)  attended any public school in this state for
  at least 90 percent of the school year preceding the school year for
  which the child applies to enroll in the program; or
                     (B)  is enrolling in prekindergarten or
  kindergarten for the first time, including a child who was
  homeschooled before enrollment.
         (a-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and subject to Section
  29.356(b-1), a child is eligible to participate in the program if
  the child:
               (1)  meets the qualifications under Subsection (a)(1);
               (2)  attended private school on a full-time basis for
  the preceding school year; and
               (3)  is a member of a household with a total annual
  income that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty
  guidelines.
         (b)  A child who establishes eligibility under this section
  may, subject to available funding and the requirements of this
  subchapter, participate in the program until the earliest of the
  following dates:
               (1)  the date on which the child graduates from high
  school;
               (2)  the date on which the child is no longer eligible
  to attend a public school under Section 25.001;
               (3)  the date on which the child enrolls in a public
  school, including an open-enrollment charter school, in a manner in
  which the child will be counted toward the school's average daily
  attendance for purposes of the allocation of funding under the
  foundation school program; or
               (4)  the date on which the child is declared ineligible
  for the program by the comptroller under this subchapter.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), a child is not
  eligible to participate in the program during the period in which
  the child's parent or legal guardian is a state representative or
  state senator.
         Sec. 29.356.  APPLICATION TO PROGRAM. (a) A parent of an
  eligible child may apply to a certified educational assistance
  organization to enroll the child in the program for the following
  school year. The comptroller shall establish quarterly deadlines
  by which an applicant must complete and submit an application form
  to participate in the program.
         (b)  On receipt of more acceptable applications during an
  application period for admission under this section than available
  positions in the program due to insufficient funding, a certified
  educational assistance organization shall, at the direction of the
  comptroller:
               (1)  for not more than two-thirds of the available
  positions, prioritize applicants who would otherwise attend a
  campus with an overall performance rating under Section 39.054 of
  C, D, or F;
               (2)  fill the remaining available positions with
  applicants who would otherwise attend a campus with an overall
  performance rating under Section 39.054 of A or B; and
               (3)  subject to Subdivisions (1) and (2), consider
  applications in the order received.
         (b-1)  This subsection applies only to children who are
  eligible to participate in the program under Section 29.355(a-1).  
  Not more than 10 percent of available positions in the program may
  be provided to children to whom this subsection applies.  Each year,
  the comptroller shall notify each certified educational assistance
  organization regarding the number of children to whom this
  subsection applies that the organization may accept for
  participation in the program for that year.  In accepting children
  to whom this subsection applies to participate in the program, a
  certified educational assistance organization shall ensure, to the
  extent feasible, that the organization accepts an equivalent number
  of children from each region of this state.
         (c)  The comptroller shall create an application form for the
  program and each certified educational assistance organization
  shall make the application form readily available through various
  sources, including the organization's Internet website. The
  application form must state the quarterly application deadlines
  established by the comptroller under Subsection (a). Each
  organization shall ensure that the application form, including any
  required supporting document, is capable of being submitted to the
  organization electronically.
         (d)  A certified educational assistance organization shall
  post on the organization's Internet website an applicant and
  participant handbook with a description of the program, including:
               (1)  expenses allowed under the program under Section
  29.359;
               (2)  a list of preapproved education service providers
  and vendors of educational products under Section 29.358;
               (3)  a description of the application process under
  this section and the program expenditures process under Section
  29.360; and
               (4)  a description of the responsibilities of program
  participants.
         (e)  A certified educational assistance organization shall
  annually provide to the parent of each child participating in the
  program the information described by Subsection (d). The
  organization may provide the information electronically.
         (f)  A certified educational assistance organization:
               (1)  may require the parent of a child participating in
  the program to submit annual notice regarding the parent's intent
  for the child to continue participating in the program for the next
  school year; and
               (2)  may not require a program participant in good
  standing to annually resubmit an application for continued
  participation in the program.
         Sec. 29.357.  PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM. To receive funding
  under the program, a parent of a child participating in the program
  must agree to:
               (1)  spend money received through the program only for
  expenses allowed under Section 29.359;
               (2)  share or authorize the administrator of an
  assessment instrument to share with the program participant's
  certified educational assistance organization the results of any
  assessment instrument required to be administered to the child
  under Section 29.358(b)(1)(B) or other law;
               (3)  refrain from selling an item purchased with
  program money; and
               (4)  notify the program participant's certified
  educational assistance organization not later than 30 business days
  after the date on which the child:
                     (A)  enrolls in a public school, including an
  open-enrollment charter school;
                     (B)  graduates from high school; or
                     (C)  is no longer eligible to either:
                           (i)  enroll in a public school under Section
  25.001; or
                           (ii)  enroll in a public school's
  prekindergarten program under Section 29.153.
         Sec. 29.358.  PREAPPROVED PROVIDERS. (a) The comptroller
  shall by rule establish a process for the preapproval of education
  service providers and vendors of educational products for
  participation in the program. The comptroller shall allow for the
  submission of applications on a rolling basis.
         (b)  The comptroller shall approve an education service
  provider or vendor of educational products for participation in the
  program if the provider or vendor:
               (1)  for a private school, demonstrates:
                     (A)  accreditation by an organization recognized
  by:
                           (i)  the Texas Private School Accreditation
  Commission; or
                           (ii)  the agency; and
                     (B)  annual administration of a nationally
  norm-referenced assessment instrument or the appropriate
  assessment instrument required under Subchapter B, Chapter 39;
               (2)  for a public school, demonstrates:
                     (A)  accreditation by the agency; and
                     (B)  the ability to provide services or products
  to children participating in the program in a manner in which the
  children are not counted toward the school's average daily
  attendance;
               (3)  for a private tutor, therapist, or teaching
  service:
                     (A)  demonstrates that the tutor or therapist or
  each employee of the teaching service who intends to provide
  educational services to a child participating in the program:
                           (i)  is an educator employed by or a retired
  educator formerly employed by a school accredited by the agency, an
  organization recognized by the agency, or an organization
  recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission;
                           (ii)  holds a relevant license or
  accreditation issued by a state, regional, or national
  certification or accreditation organization; or
                           (iii)  is employed in or retired from a
  teaching or tutoring capacity at a higher education provider;
                     (B)  the tutor or therapist or each employee of
  the teaching service who intends to provide educational services to
  a child participating in the program either:
                           (i)  completes a national criminal history
  record information review; or
                           (ii)  provides to the comptroller
  documentation indicating that the tutor, therapist, or employee, as
  applicable, has completed a national criminal history record
  information review within a period established by comptroller rule;
  and
                     (C)  the tutor or therapist or each employee of
  the teaching service who intends to provide educational services to
  a child participating in the program is not included in the registry
  under Section 22.092; or
               (4)  for a higher education provider, demonstrates
  nationally recognized postsecondary accreditation.
         (c)  The comptroller shall review the national criminal
  history record information or documentation for each private tutor,
  therapist, or teaching service employee who submits information or
  documentation under this section and verify that the individual is
  not included in the registry under Section 22.092. The tutor,
  therapist, or service must provide the comptroller with any
  information requested by the comptroller to enable the comptroller
  to complete the review.
         (d)  An education service provider or vendor of educational
  products shall provide information requested by the comptroller to
  verify the provider's or vendor's eligibility for preapproval under
  Subsection (b). The comptroller may not approve a provider or
  vendor if the comptroller cannot verify the provider's or vendor's
  eligibility for preapproval.
         (e)  An education service provider or vendor of educational
  products that no longer satisfies the requirements of this section
  must notify the comptroller not later than the 30th business day
  after the date that the provider or vendor no longer meets the
  requirements.
         (f)  This section may not be construed to allow a learning
  pod, as defined by Section 27.001, or a home school to qualify as an
  approved education service provider or vendor of educational
  products.
         Sec. 29.359.  APPROVED EDUCATION-RELATED EXPENSES. (a)
  Subject to Subsection (b), money received under the program may be
  used only for the following education-related expenses incurred by
  a child participating in the program at a preapproved education
  service provider or vendor of educational products:
               (1)  tuition and fees for a private school;
               (2)  the purchase of textbooks or other instructional
  materials or uniforms required by a school, higher education
  provider, or course in which the child is enrolled, including
  purchases made through a third-party vendor of educational
  products;
               (3)  costs related to academic assessments;
               (4)  fees for services provided by a private tutor or
  teaching service;
               (5)  fees for transportation provided by a
  fee-for-service transportation provider for the child to travel to
  and from a preapproved education service provider or vendor of
  educational products; and
               (6)  fees for educational therapies or services
  provided by a practitioner or provider, only for fees that are not
  covered by any federal, state, or local government benefits such as
  Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or by
  any private insurance that the child is enrolled in at the time of
  receiving the therapies or services.
         (b)  Money received under the program may not be used to pay
  any person who is related to the program participant within the
  third degree by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under
  Chapter 573, Government Code.
         (c)  A finding that a program participant used money
  distributed under the program to pay for an expense not allowed
  under Subsection (a) does not affect the validity of any payment
  made by the participant for an approved education-related expense
  that is allowed under that subsection.
         Sec. 29.360.  PROGRAM EXPENDITURES. (a) The comptroller
  shall disburse from the program fund to each certified educational
  assistance organization the amount specified under Section
  29.361(a) for each child participating in the program served by the
  organization.
         (b)  To initiate payment to an education service provider or
  vendor of educational products for an education-related expense
  approved under Section 29.359, the parent of a child participating
  in the program must submit a request in a form prescribed by
  comptroller rule to the certified educational assistance
  organization that serves the child.
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (d) and Sections 29.362(h) and
  29.364, on receiving a request under Subsection (b), a certified
  educational assistance organization shall verify that the request
  is for an expense approved under Section 29.359 and, not later than
  the 15th business day after the date the organization verifies the
  request, send payment to the education service provider or vendor
  of educational products.
         (d)  A disbursement under this section may not exceed the
  applicable program participant's account balance.
         (e)  A certified educational assistance organization shall
  provide program participants with electronic access to:
               (1)  view the participant's current account balance;
               (2)  initiate the payment process under Subsection (b);
  and
               (3)  view a summary of the participant's past account
  activity, including payments from the account to education service
  providers and vendors of educational products.
         Sec. 29.361.  AMOUNT OF PAYMENT; FINANCING. (a) Regardless
  of the quarterly deadline by which the parent applies for
  enrollment in the program under Section 29.356(a), a parent of a
  child participating in the program shall receive each year that the
  child participates in the program payments from the state from
  funds available under Section 29.353 to the child's account equal
  to a total amount of $8,000.
         (b)  This subsection applies only to a school district with a
  student enrollment of less than 20,000. For the first five school
  years during which a child residing in the district participates in
  the program, a school district to which this subsection applies is
  entitled to receive $10,000 from money appropriated for purposes of
  this subchapter.
         (c)  Any money remaining in a child's account at the end of a
  fiscal year is carried forward to the next fiscal year unless
  another provision of this subchapter mandates the closure of the
  account.
         (d)  The parent of a child participating in the program may
  make payments for the expenses of educational programs, services,
  and products not covered by money in the child's account.
         (e)  A payment under Subsection (a) may not be financed using
  federal money or money from the available school fund or
  instructional materials fund.
         (f)  Payments received under this subchapter do not
  constitute taxable income to a parent of a child participating in
  the program, unless otherwise provided by federal law.
         (g)  Not later than May 1 of each year, the agency shall
  submit to the comptroller the data necessary to calculate the
  amount specified under Subsection (a).
         Sec. 29.362.  ADMINISTRATION OF ACCOUNTS. (a)  On receipt
  of money distributed by the comptroller for purposes of making
  payments to program participants, a certified educational
  assistance organization shall make quarterly payments to the
  account of each child participating in the program served by the
  organization in equal amounts on or before the first day of July,
  October, January, and April.
         (b)  Each year, the comptroller may deduct from the total
  amount of money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter an
  amount, not to exceed three percent of that total amount, to cover
  the comptroller's cost of administering the program.
         (c)  Not later than the first day of the month preceding the
  start of each quarter, each certified educational assistance
  organization shall submit to the comptroller in the form prescribed
  by comptroller rule an estimate of the organization's costs of
  administering the program for that quarter.
         (d)  Each quarter, the comptroller shall disburse from money
  appropriated for the program to each certified educational
  assistance organization the amount necessary to cover the
  organization's costs of administering the program for that quarter,
  calculated as provided by Subsection (e). The total amount
  disbursed to a certified educational assistance organization under
  this subsection for a state fiscal year may not exceed five percent
  of the amount distributed to the organization under the program for
  that fiscal year.
         (e)  The amount of a certified educational assistance
  organization's disbursement under Subsection (d) is the lesser of:
               (1)  the amount of the organization's estimate
  submitted under Subsection (c); 
               (2)  the product of the total amount to be disbursed and
  the average percentage of program participants served by the
  organization during the preceding quarter; or
               (3)  five percent of the amount distributed to the
  organization for purposes of making payments to program
  participants for that quarter.
         (f)  On or before the first day of October and February, a
  certified educational assistance organization shall:
               (1)  verify with the agency that each child
  participating in the program is not enrolled in a public school,
  including an open-enrollment charter school, in a manner in which
  the child is counted toward the school's average daily attendance
  for purposes of the allocation of state funding under the
  foundation school program; and
               (2)  notify the comptroller if the organization
  determines that a child participating in the program is enrolled in
  a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, in a
  manner in which the child is counted toward the school's average
  daily attendance for purposes of the allocation of state funding
  under the foundation school program.
         (g)  The comptroller by rule shall establish a process by
  which a program participant may authorize the comptroller or a
  certified education assistance organization to make a payment
  directly from the participant's account to a preapproved education
  service provider or vendor of educational products for an expense
  allowed under Section 29.359.
         (h)  On the date on which a child who participated in the
  program is no longer eligible to participate in the program under
  Section 29.355 and payments for any education-related expenses
  allowed under Section 29.359 from the child's account have been
  completed, the child's account shall be closed and any remaining
  money returned to the comptroller for deposit in the program fund.
         (i)  Each quarter, any interest or other earnings
  attributable to money held by a certified education assistance
  organization for purposes of the program shall be remitted to the
  comptroller for deposit in the program fund.
         Sec. 29.363.  AUDITING. (a) The comptroller shall contract
  with a private entity to audit accounts and student eligibility
  data not less than once per year to ensure compliance with
  applicable law and program requirements.  The audit must include a
  review of:
               (1)  a certified educational assistance organization's
  internal controls over program transactions; and
               (2)  compliance by:
                     (A)  program participants with the requirements
  of Section 29.357; and
                     (B)  certified educational assistance
  organizations with the requirements of Section 29.354.
         (b)  In conducting an audit, the private entity may require a
  program participant or a certified educational assistance
  organization to provide information and documentation regarding
  any transaction occurring under the program. 
         (c)  The private entity shall report to the comptroller any
  violation of this subchapter or other relevant law, including any
  transactions the entity determines to be unusual or suspicious,
  found by the entity during an audit conducted under this section.  
  The comptroller shall report the violation or transaction to:
               (1)  the applicable certified educational assistance
  organization;
               (2)  the education service provider or vendor of
  educational products, as applicable; and
               (3)  the parent of each child participating in the
  program who is affected by the violation or transaction. 
         Sec. 29.364.  SUSPENSION OF ACCOUNT. (a) The comptroller
  shall suspend the account of a program participant who fails to
  remain in good standing by complying with applicable law or a
  requirement of the program.
         (b)  On suspension of an account under Subsection (a), the
  comptroller shall notify the program participant in writing that
  the account has been suspended and that no additional payments may
  be made from the account. The notification must specify the grounds
  for the suspension and state that the participant has 30 business
  days to respond and take any corrective action required by the
  comptroller.
         (c)  On the expiration of the 30-day period under Subsection
  (b), the comptroller shall:
               (1)  order closure of the suspended account;
               (2)  order temporary reinstatement of the account,
  conditioned on the performance of a specified action by the program
  participant; or
               (3)  order full reinstatement of the account.
         (d)  The comptroller may recover money distributed under the
  program that was used for expenses not allowed under Section 29.359
  or for a child who was not eligible to participate in the program at
  the time of the expenditure.  The money may be recovered from the
  program participant or the entity that received the money in
  accordance with Subtitles A and B, Title 2, Tax Code, or as provided
  by other law if the program participant's account is suspended or
  closed under this section. The comptroller shall deposit money
  recovered under this subsection to the credit of the program fund.
         Sec. 29.365.  TUITION AND FEES; REFUND PROHIBITED. (a) An
  education service provider or vendor of educational products may
  not charge a child participating in the program an amount greater
  than the standard amount charged for that service or product by the
  provider or vendor.
         (b)  An education service provider or vendor of educational
  products receiving money distributed under the program may not in
  any manner rebate, refund, or credit to or share with a program
  participant, or any person on behalf of a participant, any program
  money paid or owed by the participant to the provider or vendor.
         Sec. 29.366.  REFERRAL TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY. If the
  comptroller obtains evidence of fraudulent use of an account or
  money distributed under the program by a certified educational
  assistance organization or program participant, the comptroller
  shall notify the appropriate local county or district attorney with
  jurisdiction over the principal place of business of the certified
  educational assistance organization or the residence of the program
  participant, as applicable. 
         Sec. 29.367.  SPECIAL EDUCATION NOTICE. (a) A certified
  educational assistance organization shall post on the
  organization's Internet website and provide to each parent who
  submits an application for the program a notice that:
               (1)  states that a private school is not subject to
  federal and state laws regarding the provision of educational
  services to a child with a disability in the same manner as a public
  school; and
               (2)  provides information regarding rights to which a
  child with a disability is entitled under federal and state law if
  the child attends a public school, including:
                     (A)  rights provided under the Individuals with
  Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.); and
                     (B)  rights provided under Subchapter A.
         (b)  A private school in which a child with a disability who
  is a program participant enrolls shall provide to the child's
  parent a copy of the notice required under Subsection (a).
         Sec. 29.368.  PROGRAM PARTICIPANT, PROVIDER, AND VENDOR
  AUTONOMY. (a) An education service provider or vendor of
  educational products that receives money distributed under the
  program is not a recipient of federal financial assistance and may
  not be considered to be an agent of state government on the basis of
  receiving that money.
         (b)  A rule adopted or other governmental action taken
  related to the program may not impose requirements that are
  contrary to or limit the religious or institutional values or
  practices of an education service provider, vendor of educational
  products, or program participant, including by limiting the ability
  of the provider, vendor, or participant, as applicable, to:
               (1)  determine the methods of instruction or curriculum
  used to educate students;
               (2)  determine admissions and enrollment practices,
  policies, and standards;
               (3)  modify or refuse to modify the provider's,
  vendor's, or participant's religious or institutional values or
  practices, including operations, conduct, policies, standards,
  assessments, or employment practices that are based on the
  provider's, vendor's, or participant's religious or institutional
  values or practices; or
               (4)  exercise the provider's, vendor's, or
  participant's religious or institutional practices as determined
  by the provider, vendor, or participant.
         Sec. 29.369.  STUDENT RECORDS AND INFORMATION. (a) On
  request by the parent of a child participating or seeking to
  participate in the program, the school district or open-enrollment
  charter school that the child would otherwise attend shall provide
  a copy of the child's school records possessed by the district or
  school, if any, to the child's parent or, if applicable, the private
  school the child attends.
         (b)  As necessary to verify a child's eligibility for the
  program, the agency, a school district, or an open-enrollment
  charter school shall provide to a certified educational assistance
  organization any information available to the agency, district, or
  school requested by the organization regarding a child who
  participates or seeks to participate in the program, including
  information regarding the child's public school enrollment status
  and whether the child can be counted toward a public school's
  average daily attendance for purposes of the allocation of funding
  under the foundation school program. The organization may not
  retain information provided under this subsection beyond the period
  necessary to determine a child's eligibility to participate in the
  program.
         (c)  The certified educational assistance organization or an
  education service provider or vendor of educational products that
  obtains information regarding a child participating in the program:
               (1)  shall comply with state and federal law regarding
  the confidentiality of student educational information; and
               (2)  may not sell or otherwise distribute information
  regarding a child participating in the program.
         Sec. 29.370.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The comptroller
  and a certified educational assistance organization may solicit and
  accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private
  source for any expenses related to the administration of the
  program, including establishing the program and contracting for the
  report required under Section 29.371.
         Sec. 29.371.  ANNUAL REPORT. (a)  The comptroller shall
  require that each certified educational assistance organization
  compile program data and produce an annual longitudinal report
  regarding:
               (1)  the number of program applications received,
  accepted, and waitlisted, disaggregated by age;
               (2)  program participant satisfaction; 
               (3)  the results of assessment instruments shared in
  accordance with Section 29.357(2);
               (4)  the effect of the program on public and private
  school capacity, availability, and quality;
               (5)  the amount of cost savings accruing to the state as
  a result of the program;
               (6)  in a report submitted in an even-numbered year
  only, an estimate of the total amount of funding required for the
  program for the next state fiscal biennium;
               (7)  the amount of gifts, grants, and donations
  received under Section 29.370; and
               (8)  based on surveys of former program participants or
  other sources available to an organization, the number and
  percentage of children participating in the program who, within one
  year after graduating from high school, are:
                     (A)  college ready, as indicated by earning a
  minimum of 12 non-remedial semester credit hours or the equivalent
  or an associate degree from a postsecondary educational
  institution;
                     (B)  career ready, as indicated by:
                           (i)  earning a credential of value included
  in the library of credentials established under Section 2308A.007,
  Government Code; or
                           (ii)  employment at or above the median wage
  in the child's region; or
                     (C)  military ready, as indicated by achieving a
  passing score set by the applicable military branch on the Armed
  Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and enlisting in the armed
  forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard.
         (b)  In producing the report, each certified educational
  assistance organization shall:
               (1)  use appropriate analytical and behavioral science
  methodologies to ensure public confidence in the report; and
               (2)  comply with the requirements regarding the
  confidentiality of student educational information under the
  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1232g).
         (c)  The report must cover a period of not less than five
  years and include, subject to Subsection (b)(2), the data analyzed
  and methodology used.
         (d)  The comptroller and each certified educational
  assistance organization shall post the report on the comptroller's
  and organization's respective Internet websites.
         Sec. 29.372.  RULES; PROCEDURES. The comptroller shall
  adopt rules and procedures as necessary to implement, administer,
  and enforce this subchapter.
         Sec. 29.373.  APPEAL; JUDICIAL REVIEW. (a) A program
  participant may appeal to the comptroller an administrative
  decision made by the comptroller or a certified educational
  assistance organization under this subchapter, including a
  decision regarding eligibility, allowable expenses, or the
  participant's removal from the program.
         (b)  A program participant, education service provider, or
  vendor of educational products who is adversely affected or
  aggrieved by a decision made by the comptroller or a certified
  educational assistance organization under this subchapter may file
  a suit challenging the decision in a district court in the county in
  which the program participant resides or the provider or vendor has
  its principal place of business, as applicable.
         Sec. 29.374.  RIGHT TO INTERVENE IN CIVIL ACTION. (a) A
  program participant, education service provider, or vendor of
  educational products may intervene in any civil action challenging
  the constitutionality of the program.
         (b)  A court in which a civil action described by Subsection
  (a) is filed may require that all program participants, education
  service providers, and vendors of educational products wishing to
  intervene in the action file a joint brief. A program participant,
  education service provider, or vendor of educational products may
  not be required to join a brief filed on behalf of the state or a
  state agency.
         SECTION 2.003.  Section 22.092(d), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The agency shall provide equivalent access to the
  registry maintained under this section to:
               (1)  private schools;
               (2)  public schools; [and]
               (3)  nonprofit teacher organizations approved by the
  commissioner for the purpose of participating in the tutoring
  program established under Section 33.913; and
               (4)  the comptroller for the purpose of preapproving
  education service providers and vendors of educational products
  under Section 29.358 for participation in the program established
  under Subchapter J, Chapter 29.
         SECTION 2.004.  Section 411.109, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  The comptroller is entitled to obtain criminal history
  record information maintained by the department about a person who
  is a private tutor, a therapist, or an employee of a teaching
  service or school who intends to provide educational services to a
  child participating in the program established under Subchapter J,
  Chapter 29, Education Code, and is seeking approval to receive
  money distributed under that program.
         SECTION 2.005.  Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as
  added by this article, applies beginning with the 2024-2025 school
  year.
         SECTION 2.006.  (a)  Not later than February 15, 2024, the
  comptroller of public accounts shall adopt rules as provided by
  Section 29.372, Education Code, as added by this article.
         (b)  The comptroller of public accounts may identify rules
  required by the passage of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education
  Code, as added by this article, that must be adopted on an emergency
  basis for purposes of the 2024-2025 school year and may use the
  procedures established under Section 2001.034, Government Code,
  for adopting those rules.  The comptroller of public accounts is not
  required to make the finding described by Section 2001.034(a),
  Government Code, to adopt emergency rules under this subsection.
         SECTION 2.007.  (a) The constitutionality and other
  validity under the state or federal constitution of all or any part
  of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as added by this
  article, may be determined in an action for declaratory judgment
  under Chapter 37, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, in a district
  court in the county in which the violation is alleged to have
  occurred or where the plaintiff resides or has its principal place
  of business.
         (b)  An order, however characterized, of a trial court
  granting or denying a temporary or otherwise interlocutory
  injunction or a permanent injunction on the grounds of the
  constitutionality or unconstitutionality, or other validity or
  invalidity, under the state or federal constitution of all or any
  part of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as added by this
  article, may be reviewed only by direct appeal to the Texas Supreme
  Court filed not later than the 15th business day after the date on
  which the order was entered. The Texas Supreme Court shall give
  precedence to appeals under this section over other matters.
         (c)  The direct appeal is an accelerated appeal.
         (d)  This section exercises the authority granted by Section
  3-b, Article V, Texas Constitution.
         (e)  The filing of a direct appeal under this section will
  automatically stay any temporary or otherwise interlocutory
  injunction or permanent injunction granted in accordance with this
  section pending final determination by the Texas Supreme Court,
  unless the supreme court makes specific findings that the applicant
  seeking such injunctive relief has pleaded and proved that:
               (1)  the applicant has a probable right to the relief it
  seeks on final hearing;
               (2)  the applicant will suffer a probable injury that
  is imminent and irreparable, and that the applicant has no other
  adequate legal remedy; and
               (3)  maintaining the injunction is in the public
  interest.
         (f)  An appeal under this section, including an
  interlocutory, accelerated, or direct appeal, is governed, as
  applicable, by the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, including
  Rules 25.1(d)(6), 28.1, 32.1(g), 37.3(a)(1), 38.6(a) and (b),
  40.1(b), and 49.4.
         (g)  This section does not authorize an award of attorney's
  fees against this state, and Section 37.009, Civil Practice and
  Remedies Code, does not apply to an action filed under this section.
         (h)  This section does not authorize a taxpayer suit to
  contest the denial of a tax credit by the comptroller of public
  accounts.
         SECTION 2.008.  It is the intent of the legislature that
  every provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or
  word in this article, and every application of the provisions in
  this article to each person or entity, is severable from each other.
  If any application of any provision in this article to any person,
  group of persons, or circumstances is found by a court to be invalid
  for any reason, the remaining applications of that provision to all
  other persons and circumstances shall be severed and may not be
  affected.
  ARTICLE 3. TRANSITION; EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 3.001.  To the extent of any conflict, this Act
  prevails over another Act of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2023, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in
  enacted codes.
         SECTION 3.002.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a
  vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
         (b)  Article 2 of this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.