89R8689 MM-D     By: Ordaz, Buckley, Leo Wilson, et al. H.B. No. 2310       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and   expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young   children with disabilities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.0091 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.0091.  STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND EARLY   LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH   DISABILITIES. (a)  The agency, in collaboration with the Health and   Human Services Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission, shall   develop and implement a strategic plan to improve early learning   and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities   or developmental delays.          (b)  In developing the strategic plan, the agency, in   coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and the   Texas Workforce Commission, shall:                (1)  develop strategies for the inclusion of children   with disabilities in early childhood education settings;                (2)  consider topics and existing barriers relating to   ensuring, and any changes to existing practices or policies   necessary to ensure, more effective inclusion of children with   disabilities in early learning programs, including in:                      (A)  prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E,   including prekindergarten programs provided under a partnership   between school districts and community-based child-care providers;                      (B)  early childhood special education settings;   and                      (C)  child-care programs participating in the   Texas Workforce Commission's subsidized child-care program; and                (3)  coordinate with, at a minimum, representatives of   state, regional, and local agencies, the governor's Texas Early   Learning Council, nonprofit organizations, and relevant social   services providers.          (c)  The strategic plan must include:                (1)  the strategies for the inclusion of children with   disabilities in early childhood education settings developed under   Subsection (b)(1) signed by the commissioner, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, and the   executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission;                (2)  a description of existing barriers to the   effective inclusion of children with disabilities in early learning   programs;                (3)  recommendations for statutory, regulatory,   guidance, or funding changes, and policy implementation changes,   necessary to improve the inclusion of young children with   disabilities in early childhood education programs; and                (4)  current and proposed strategies and   recommendations to achieve:                      (A)  improved provider staffing, training,   sustainability, and effectiveness across public schools,   child-care programs, and early childhood intervention services   providers that serve young children with disabilities;                      (B)  the effective leveraging of existing funding   and resources;                      (C)  streamlined transitions for families:                            (i)  from early childhood intervention   programs to early childhood special education programs; and                            (ii)  from early childhood special education   programs to special education programs; and                      (D)  improved collaboration and partnerships   between child-care programs, early childhood intervention services   providers, and public schools.          (d)  Not later than September 1 of the last state fiscal year   in each four-year period covered by the most recent strategic plan:                (1)  the agency shall update the strategic plan for the   subsequent four-year period;                (2)  the agency shall submit the updated strategic plan   developed under Subdivision (1) to the governor, the lieutenant   governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives; and                (3)  the agency, the Health and Human Services   Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall publish the   updated strategic plan developed under Subdivision (1) on the   agencies' respective Internet websites.          SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2026:                (1)  the Texas Education Agency, the Health and Human   Services Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall   publish the initial strategic plan required by Section 29.0091,   Education Code, as added by this Act, on the agencies' respective   Internet websites; and                (2)  the Texas Education Agency shall submit the   initial strategic plan described by Subdivision (1) of this section   to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the   house of representatives.          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.