85R4600 MM-D     By: Allen H.B. No. 2623       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to requiring school districts 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 A 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 shall assist a student enrolled in   the district in making the transition back to school after being in   a facility listed under Subsection (a) for a period equivalent to 30   instructional days or more during the school year. The assistance   provided by the district 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 to develop 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, 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.          (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 notice of that date to the   school district in which a student intends to attend school   following release. The agency shall give annual written notice to   each facility of the facility's duty under this subsection. This   subsection applies only to a student subject to compulsory   attendance requirements under Section 25.085.          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.