HBA-JEK, CCH H.B. 1292 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1292 By: Garcia Public Education 4/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law prohibits a school district from enrolling more than 22 students in a kindergarten, first, second, third, or fourth grade class, but does not establish separate teacher-student ratios for special education classes. Many special education students have behavioral problems or learning disabilities that require more individualized attention. House Bill 1292 prohibits a school district from enrolling more than 10 students in a special education class at any grade level. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1292 amends the Education Code to prohibit a school district from enrolling more than 10 students in a special education class. The bill provides that the limit does not apply during any 12-week period of the school year selected by a district that has a significant percentage of students who are migratory children, or the last 12 weeks of any school year in the case of any other district. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.