89R3664 RDR-F     By: Bucy H.B. No. 1785       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the eligibility of a person who is homeless to take the   high school equivalency examination.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 7.111, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as   follows:          (a-1)  A person who does not have a high school diploma may   take the examination in accordance with rules adopted by the board   if the person is:                (1)  over 17 years of age;                (2)  16 years of age or older and:                      (A)  is enrolled in a Job Corps training program   under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. Section 2801   et seq.), and its subsequent amendments;                      (B)  a public agency providing supervision of the   person or having custody of the person under a court order   recommends that the person take the examination; [or]                      (C)  is enrolled in the Texas Military   Department's Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps; or                      (D)  is a person who is homeless; or                (3)  required to take the examination under a court   order issued under Section 65.103(a)(3), Family Code.          (a-2)  The board may not adopt a rule under Subsection (a-1)   requiring a person who is homeless to obtain the consent of the   person's parent or guardian before taking the examination.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   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, 2025.