HB 1662

relating to a grant program for public schools and regional
education service centers to provide services related to educating
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.026 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.026.  GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDING SERVICES TO STUDENTS
WITH AUTISM.  (a)  The commissioner shall establish a program to
(1)  school districts and open-enrollment charter
schools that provide innovative services to students with autism;
(2)  regional education service centers that provide
specialized training on evidence-based practices to classroom
teachers who teach students with autism.
(b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school is
eligible for a grant under Subsection (a)(1) if the district or
school offers a program that incorporates:
(1)  evidence-based and research-based design;
(2)  the use of empirical data on student achievement
(3)  parental support and collaboration;
(7)  the ability to replicate the program for students
(c)  A regional education service center is eligible for a
grant under Subsection (a)(2) if the center provides specialized
(1)  evidence-based and research-based design;
(2)  de-escalation and positive behavioral
(3)  the use of empirical data on student achievement
(4)  ongoing professional development;
(5)  ongoing coaching services; and
(6)  the ability to replicate the training statewide.
(d)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
that receives a grant under this section may not:
(1)  charge a fee for the program, other than those
authorized by law for students in public schools;
(2)  require a parent to enroll a child in the program;
(3)  allow an admission, review, and dismissal
committee to place a student in the program without the written
consent of the student's parent or guardian; or
(4)  continue the placement of a student in the program
after the student's parent or guardian revokes consent, in writing,
to the student's placement in the program.
(e)  A program under Subsection (a)(1) may:
(1)  alter the length of the school day or school year
or the number of minutes of instruction received by students;
(2)  coordinate services with private or
(3)  allow the participation of students without
disabilities or with other disabilities, if that participation is
consistent with requirements applicable to students with autism for
placement in the least restrictive environment under 34 C.F.R.
(4)  adopt staff qualifications and staff to student
ratios that differ from the applicable requirements of this title.
(f)  The commissioner shall create an external panel of
stakeholders, including parents of students with disabilities, to
provide assistance in the selection of applications for the award
(g)  The commissioner may award not more than 10 grants under
Subsection (a)(1).  In selecting programs to receive a grant under
that subsection, the commissioner shall prioritize programs that
are collaborations between multiple school districts, multiple
charter schools, or school districts and charter schools.  The
selected programs must reflect the diversity of this state.
(h)  A grant award under Subsection (a)(1) may not exceed
$1 million in a state fiscal biennium.
(i)  The commissioner shall use at least half of the money
appropriated for grants under this section to award grants under
(j)  A grant awarded to a school district or open-enrollment
charter school under this section is in addition to the Foundation
School Program money that the district or charter school is
otherwise entitled to receive.  A grant awarded under this section
may not come out of Foundation School Program money.
(k)  The commissioner and any program selected under this
section may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or
private source, person, or group to implement and administer the
program.  The commissioner and any program selected under this
section may not require any financial contribution from parents to
implement and administer the program.
(l)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
section, including rules establishing an application and selection
(m)  Not later than December 31, 2030, the commissioner shall
submit to the legislature a report on the grant program under this
section. The report must include:
(1)  recommendations for statutory or funding changes
necessary to implement successful innovations in the education of
(2)  data on the academic and functional achievements
of students enrolled in a program that received a grant under this
(n)  This section expires September 1, 2031.
SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
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.