85R9956 GCB-F     By: Neave H.B. No. 2972       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the exemption of the absence from school of a student   with a chronic or debilitating illness or condition from the   calculation of student attendance for purposes of school   accountability.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 39.0532 to read as follows:          Sec. 39.0532.  CALCULATION OF STUDENT ATTENDANCE IN   EVALUATING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. (a)  The commissioner by rule shall   develop and adopt a process for a school district to apply to the   agency for an exemption from having an absence of a student with a   chronic or debilitating illness or condition that is attributable   to the student's illness or condition be included in the   calculation of student attendance for purposes of the achievement   indicator under Section 39.053(c)(4)(B)(i).          (b)  To apply for the exemption a school district must obtain   documentation from a physician indicating that:                (1)  the student is a patient of the physician;                (2)  the student has a chronic or debilitating illness   or condition; and                (3)  the absence for which the exemption is sought is   attributable to the student's illness or condition.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies 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.