89R16837 MCF-F     By: Lujan H.B. No. 5002       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study and pilot program on the identification of and   interventions provided to children with dyslexia who are committed   to juvenile facilities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a)  In this Act:                (1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.                (2)  "Department" means the Texas Juvenile Justice   Department.                (3)  "Juvenile facility" means a facility operated by   or under contract with the department.          (b)  The department, in collaboration with the agency, shall   conduct a five-year study on the identification of dyslexia in   children committed to the custody of the department.          (c)  In conducting the study, the department and agency   shall:                (1)  assess current procedures for dyslexia screening   and identification in juvenile facilities;                (2)  consider improvements in the procedures for   dyslexia screening and identification in juvenile facilities;                (3)  collect and analyze data, disaggregated by age,   sex, and race, on the prevalence of dyslexia among children   committed to juvenile facilities;                (4)  evaluate access to educational resources and   interventions provided to children committed to juvenile   facilities who have been identified as having dyslexia;                (5)  identify barriers to effective dyslexia   screening, diagnosis, and intervention in juvenile facilities;                (6)  consider and develop innovative screening   techniques to supplement initial intake screenings, including:                      (A)  telehealth assessments conducted by a   licensed health care provider with expertise in dyslexia diagnoses   or by an educational diagnostician;                      (B)  consultations with an expert in dyslexia   research from a university, medical institution, or nonprofit   organization; and                      (C)  advanced screening tools or additional   testing methods;                (7)  develop a plan to improve dyslexia screening,   intervention, and support services in juvenile facilities; and                (8)  develop a training program to improve dyslexia   identification and intervention efforts, to be provided to:                      (A)  juvenile facility staff responsible for   conducting dyslexia screenings; and                      (B)  educators who work with children committed to   juvenile facilities.          (d)  The department, in collaboration with the agency, shall   establish and implement a pilot program to implement improved   dyslexia screening techniques and protocols developed under the   study described by Subsection (c) of this section.          (e)  In establishing and implementing the pilot program, the   department, in collaboration with the agency, shall:                (1)  designate not less than two juvenile facilities at   which to operate the pilot program;                (2)  implement the innovative screening techniques   developed under Subsection (c)(6) of this section;                (3)  provide targeted interventions for children with   dyslexia, as identified through the techniques implemented under   Subdivision (2) of this subsection; and                (4)  annually evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot   program and determine best practices to integrate comparable   policies in additional juvenile facilities.          (f)  The department shall annually prepare and submit to the   governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of   representatives, and standing committee of each house of the   legislature with primary jurisdiction over juvenile justice or   education matters a report that must include the following   information:                (1)  the number of children committed to juvenile   facilities who are identified as having dyslexia;                (2)  the percentage of children committed to juvenile   facilities who are identified as having dyslexia;                (3)  the screening tools and assessment methods used to   identify dyslexia, including whether and which innovative   screening techniques developed under Subsection (c)(6) of this   section were used;                (4)  the availability and effectiveness of educational   resources and interventions provided to children committed to   juvenile facilities who have been identified as having dyslexia;   and                (5)  an evaluation of the pilot program, including data   on improved identification rates and intervention outcomes.          (g)  In conducting the study under Subsection (b) of this   section or implementing the pilot program under Subsection (d) of   this section, the department may:                (1)  apply for grants and federal funding;                (2)  receive money appropriated by the legislature; or                (3)  partner with a university, medical institution, or   nonprofit organization.          SECTION 2.  This Act expires January 1, 2031.          SECTION 3.  (a)  Not later than September 1, 2026, the Texas   Juvenile Justice Department shall establish and implement the pilot   program described by Section 1(d) of this Act.          (b)  Not later than December 1, 2030, the Texas Juvenile   Justice Department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant   governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and standing   committee of each house of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over juvenile justice or education matters the final   report regarding the results of the study conducted under Section   1(b) of this Act and the pilot program implemented under Section   1(d) of this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.