HB 5002

relating to a study and pilot program on the identification of and
interventions provided to children with dyslexia who are committed
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
(1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.
(2)  "Department" means the Texas Juvenile Justice
(3)  "Juvenile facility" means a facility operated by
or under contract with the department.
(b)  The department, in collaboration with the agency, shall
conduct a five-year study on the identification of dyslexia in
children committed to the custody of the department.
(c)  In conducting the study, the department and agency
(1)  assess current procedures for dyslexia screening
and identification in juvenile facilities;
(2)  consider improvements in the procedures for
dyslexia screening and identification in juvenile facilities;
(3)  collect and analyze data, disaggregated by age,
sex, and race, on the prevalence of dyslexia among children
committed to juvenile facilities;
(4)  evaluate access to educational resources and
interventions provided to children committed to juvenile
facilities who have been identified as having dyslexia;
(5)  identify barriers to effective dyslexia
screening, diagnosis, and intervention in juvenile facilities;
(6)  consider and develop innovative screening
techniques to supplement initial intake screenings, including:
(A)  telehealth assessments conducted by a
licensed health care provider with expertise in dyslexia diagnoses
or by an educational diagnostician;
(B)  consultations with an expert in dyslexia
research from a university, medical institution, or nonprofit
(C)  advanced screening tools or additional
(7)  develop a plan to improve dyslexia screening,
intervention, and support services in juvenile facilities; and
(8)  develop a training program to improve dyslexia
identification and intervention efforts, to be provided to:
(A)  juvenile facility staff responsible for
conducting dyslexia screenings; and
(B)  educators who work with children committed to
(d)  The department, in collaboration with the agency, shall
establish and implement a pilot program to implement improved
dyslexia screening techniques and protocols developed under the
study described by Subsection (c) of this section.
(e)  In establishing and implementing the pilot program, the
department, in collaboration with the agency, shall:
(1)  designate not less than two juvenile facilities at
which to operate the pilot program;
(2)  implement the innovative screening techniques
developed under Subsection (c)(6) of this section;
(3)  provide targeted interventions for children with
dyslexia, as identified through the techniques implemented under
Subdivision (2) of this subsection; and
(4)  annually evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot
program and determine best practices to integrate comparable
policies in additional juvenile facilities.
(f)  The department shall annually prepare and submit to the
governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and standing committee of each house of the
legislature with primary jurisdiction over juvenile justice or
education matters a report that must include the following
(1)  the number of children committed to juvenile
facilities who are identified as having dyslexia;
(2)  the percentage of children committed to juvenile
facilities who are identified as having dyslexia;
(3)  the screening tools and assessment methods used to
identify dyslexia, including whether and which innovative
screening techniques developed under Subsection (c)(6) of this
(4)  the availability and effectiveness of educational
resources and interventions provided to children committed to
juvenile facilities who have been identified as having dyslexia;
(5)  an evaluation of the pilot program, including data
on improved identification rates and intervention outcomes.
(g)  In conducting the study under Subsection (b) of this
section or implementing the pilot program under Subsection (d) of
this section, the department may:
(1)  apply for grants and federal funding;
(2)  receive money appropriated by the legislature; or
(3)  partner with a university, medical institution, or
SECTION 2.  This Act expires January 1, 2031.
SECTION 3.  (a)  Not later than September 1, 2026, the Texas
Juvenile Justice Department shall establish and implement the pilot
program described by Section 1(d) of this Act.
(b)  Not later than December 1, 2030, the Texas Juvenile
Justice Department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant
governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and standing
committee of each house of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over juvenile justice or education matters the final
report regarding the results of the study conducted under Section
1(b) of this Act and the pilot program implemented under Section
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.