Bill

SB 811

84(R) - 2015
Senate Education
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate Education
Education

Vote Recommendation

Vote No; Amend
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

José Rodríguez

Bill Caption

Relating to providing a translated copy of a student's individualized education program to parents unable to speak English.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State.

Local Government

Districts may incur additional costs to having IEPs orally translated or related to making audio recordings of admission, review, and dismissal committee meetings for IEPs.

Bill Analysis

The bill would require school districts to provide a child's individualized education program (IEP) in audiotape form to parents who are unable to speak English, if the parent requests it.

Vote Recommendation Notes

05/25/2015 update:

No changes were made. The second chamber sponsor is Representative Mary Gonzalez.

First chamber recommendation:

This bill would require a school district to provide a service to parents who cannot speak English and who want to know the content of their child's education. It is important for parents to be able to have access to what kind of education their child is receiving, but questionable on whether school districts should be required to provide this service. This bill may also create an unfunded mandate for school districts. For these reasons, we recommend voting no on SB 811 unless the bill is amended to only be 1) a study on the necessity and interest for this service, or 2) only implemented in a bracketed district using a pilot program model to gauge the effect on a school district.