Bill Caption

Relating to use of compensatory education allotment funding to provide assistance to students at risk of dropping out of school who are pregnant or who are parents.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State.

Local Government

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. School districts would have the option to use compensatory education allotment funding on child-care services or other services provided through a life skills program.

Bill Analysis

HB 256 would allow a school district to use funds that are already allotted to the compensatory education allotment funding to provide assistance with child care costs and other costs to students who are participating in a life skills program or are at risk of leaving school. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill abridges the principle of limited government. While the state has a legitimate role to provide a system of public education, they are not tasked constitutionally with the requirement to ensure that all obstacles to education are eliminated. HB 256 would enlarge the scope and cost of government by using public funds to pay child-care services for students who have children. The state should not fund the cost of child care for public school students who have children. We oppose HB 256.

Texas Public Policy Action opposed a similar bill, HB 580, during the 83rd Legislative Session.