Relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities.

89(R) HB 2310 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.B. No. 2310

AN ACT

relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and

expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young

children with disabilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 29.0091 to read as follows:

Sec.

29.0091.

STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND EARLY

LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH

DISABILITIES. (a)

The agency, in collaboration with the Health and

Human Services Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission, shall

develop and implement a strategic plan to improve early learning

and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities

or developmental delays.

(b)

In developing the strategic plan, the agency, in

coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and the

Texas Workforce Commission, shall:

(1)

develop strategies for the inclusion of children

with disabilities in early childhood education settings;

(2)

consider topics and existing barriers relating to

ensuring, and any changes to existing practices or policies

necessary to ensure, more effective inclusion of children with

disabilities in early learning programs, including in:

(A)

prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E,

including prekindergarten programs provided under a partnership

between school districts and community-based child-care providers;

(B)

early childhood special education settings;

and

(C)

child-care programs participating in the

Texas Workforce Commission's subsidized child-care program; and

(3)

coordinate with, at a minimum, representatives of

state, regional, and local agencies, the governor's Texas Early

Learning Council, nonprofit organizations, and relevant social

services providers.

(c) The strategic plan must include:

(1)

the strategies for the inclusion of children with

disabilities in early childhood education settings developed under

Subsection (b)(1) signed by the commissioner, the executive

commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, and the

executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission;

(2)

a description of existing barriers to the

effective inclusion of children with disabilities in early learning

programs;

(3)

recommendations for statutory, regulatory,

guidance, or funding changes, and policy implementation changes,

necessary to improve the inclusion of young children with

disabilities in early childhood education programs; and

(4)

current and proposed strategies and

recommendations to achieve:

(A)

improved provider staffing, training,

sustainability, and effectiveness across public schools,

child-care programs, and early childhood intervention services

providers that serve young children with disabilities;

(B)

the effective leveraging of existing funding

and resources;

(C) streamlined transitions for families:

(i)

from early childhood intervention

programs to early childhood special education programs; and

(ii)

from early childhood special education

programs to special education programs; and

(D)

improved collaboration and partnerships

between child-care programs, early childhood intervention services

providers, and public schools.

(d)

Not later than September 1 of the last state fiscal year

in each four-year period covered by the most recent strategic plan:

(1)

the agency shall update the strategic plan for the

subsequent four-year period;

(2)

the agency shall submit the updated strategic plan

developed under Subdivision (1) to the governor, the lieutenant

governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(3)

the agency, the Health and Human Services

Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall publish the

updated strategic plan developed under Subdivision (1) on the

agencies' respective Internet websites.

SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2026:

(1) the Texas Education Agency, the Health and Human

Services Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall

publish the initial strategic plan required by Section 29.0091,

Education Code, as added by this Act, on the agencies' respective

Internet websites; and

(2) the Texas Education Agency shall submit the

initial strategic plan described by Subdivision (1) of this section

to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the

house of representatives.

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.

______________________________

______________________________

President of the Senate

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2310 was passed by the House on May 7,

2025, by the following vote: Yeas 121, Nays 24, 1 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2310 was passed by the Senate on May

25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor