87R3392 CXP-D     By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 855       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a joint study and report by the Texas Education Agency   and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding the   transition of public school students with disabilities to higher   education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.0114 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.0114.  STUDY REGARDING TRANSITION TO HIGHER   EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) In this section,   "coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board.          (b)  The agency and the coordinating board jointly shall   conduct a study on the transition to higher education for public   school students with disabilities.          (c)  The study must investigate and identify:                (1)  the percentage of students enrolled in a special   education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, who graduate high   school;                (2)  the percentage of students enrolled in a special   education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, who following   high school graduation enroll in a public or private institution of   higher education;                (3)  for each disability category identified by the   Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400   et seq.):                      (A)  appropriate supports and services for a   student who is eligible for services based on that category of   disability to facilitate the student's transition to higher   education; and                      (B)  whether students eligible for services based   on that category of disability currently receive the supports and   services identified under Paragraph (A);                (4)  barriers that exist for students with disabilities   to transition to higher education;                (5)  whether services and accommodations for students   with disabilities who enroll in public or private institutions of   higher education are accessible; and                (6)  whether students with disabilities currently   receive sufficient and accurate information regarding their civil   rights.          (d)  Not later than September 1, 2022, the agency and the   coordinating board shall prepare a report detailing the results of   the study under this section and submit to the legislature the   report and any recommendations for legislative or other action.          (e)  This section expires January 1, 2023.          SECTION 2.  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, 2021.