85R21769 MM-D     By: Allen, Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 2623     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2623:     By:  Bernal C.S.H.B. No. 2623       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to requiring school districts and certain facilities to   assist students in making the transition back to school after   certain prolonged placements outside of school.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 25, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 25.903 to read as follows:          Sec. 25.903.  ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENT TRANSITIONING BACK TO   SCHOOL AFTER PROLONGED PLACEMENT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. (a)  This   section applies to the following facilities:                (1)  a disciplinary alternative education program;                (2)  a juvenile justice alternative education program;                (3)  a residential program or facility operated by or   under contract with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, a   juvenile board, or any other governmental entity;                (4)  any residential treatment center; and                (5)  a public or private hospital.          (b)  Each school district and facility listed under   Subsection (a) shall coordinate to assist a student enrolled in the   district in making the transition back to school after being in the   facility for a period equivalent to 30 instructional days or more   during the school year. The assistance provided by the district and   the facility must include development and implementation of a   personalized transition service plan for each student who has been   absent from school as described by this subsection. The principal   of the school the student attends following the absence shall   designate one or more appropriate school employees, including at   least one teacher, and an appropriate supervisor employed by the   facility in which the student was placed shall designate one or more   appropriate facility employees to coordinate in developing the   plan.  To the greatest extent practicable, the plan must be   developed in consultation with the student and the student's parent   or person standing in parental relation to the student. To the   extent appropriate for a particular student, the plan must include:                (1)  consideration of the best educational placement   for the student;                (2)  provision of counseling, behavioral management   assistance, as available, or academic assistance by the school   based on the student's academic, school reentry, and career and   employment goals; and                (3)  assistance concerning access to community mental   health or substance abuse services, as available.          (c)  As soon as practicable after a facility listed under   Subsection (a) has determined the date of a student's release from   the facility, the facility shall give to the school district in   which the student intends to attend school following release   written notice of that date and that the facility is prepared to   begin coordinating with the district to develop the student's   personalized transition service plan under Subsection (b).  This   subsection applies only to a student subject to compulsory   attendance requirements under Section 25.085.          (d)  The agency shall give annual written notice to each   facility listed under Subsection (a) of the facility's duty under   this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies to absences from public school   beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.          SECTION 3.  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, 2017.