Bill: HB 156, 85(R) - 2017

Relating to establishing a pilot program in designated public high schools in certain municipalities for placement of students in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs as an alternative to placement in disciplinary or juvenile justice alternative education programs.

HB 156 amends the Education Code to establish a pilot program for placement of high school students in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs as an alternative to placement in disciplinary alternative education programs.

HB 156 limits the application of the pilot program to a student enrolled in a high school designated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and located in a municipality that has a population of 200,000 or more, is located on an international border, and has more than 20 percent of the population that is 18 to 24 years of age who have not graduated from high school, according to certain U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

This bill would also require parental notification and consent before the student is placed into this program, including the reason why the student is being placed in the program.

This program can be implemented with little to no cost and could potentially have a positive effect on participating students. We remain neutral.