HB 1785

relating to the eligibility of a person who is homeless to take the
high school equivalency examination.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 7.111, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as
(a-1)  A person who does not have a high school diploma may
take the examination in accordance with rules adopted by the board
(2)  16 years of age or older and:
(A)  is enrolled in a Job Corps training program
under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. Section 2801
et seq.), and its subsequent amendments;
(B)  a public agency providing supervision of the
person or having custody of the person under a court order
recommends that the person take the examination; [or]
(C)  is enrolled in the Texas Military
Department's Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps; or
(D)  is a person who is homeless; or
(3)  required to take the examination under a court
order issued under Section 65.103(a)(3), Family Code.
(a-2)  The board may not adopt a rule under Subsection (a-1)
requiring a person who is homeless to obtain the consent of the
person's parent or guardian before taking the examination.
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.