EXCITING NEWS - there is NEW legislation regarding starting school later in Texas!
H.B. 363 would establish a task force to study the effect of delayed school start times on students. Start School Later Texas collaborated with Representative Donna Howard regarding the bill in 2021 and were delighted when she filed the bill again in 2023. Here it is in its entirety:
88R2181 JTZ-D
By: Howard H.B. No. 363
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
Relating to the establishment of a task force to study the effect of delayed school start times on students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.
(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of education.
(3) "Task force" means the task force established under this Act.
SECTION 2. TASK FORCE TO STUDY SCHOOL DAY START TIMES. (a)
A task force is established under this section to study the effect of school day start times on students in kindergarten through grade 12.
(b) The commissioner shall appoint members of the task force, including:
(1) one pediatrician;
(2) one physician who specializes in sleep disorders;
(3) one mental health professional who specializes in adolescent health issues;
(4) one representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Texas;
(5) one representative of the Texas Psychological Association;
(6) one representative of Every Texan;
(7) one representative of Raise Your Hand Texas;
(8) one representative of Start School Later Texas;
(9) one representative of the Texas Pediatric Society;
(10) one representative of the Texas School Health Advisory Committee;
(11) one representative of the Texas Association of School Administrators;
(12) one representative of the Association of Texas Professional Educators;
(13) one representative of the Texas School Nurses Organization;
(14) one rep. of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association;
(15) one representative of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals;
(16) one representative of the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation; and
(17) one student enrolled in public school in this state.
(c) The members of the task force shall select the presiding officer of the task force.
(d) The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of the task force not later than January 1, 2024. The task force shall meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines are appropriate. The task force shall adopt rules necessary to fulfill the task force's duties under this section.
(e) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
SECTION 3. DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE. The task force shall:
(1) conduct a study that:
(A) evaluates the effect of daily school start and end times on students in kindergarten through grade 12;
(B) considers any negative impacts on public and private school students and families that may arise from delayed daily school start and end times;
(C) evaluates studies or initiatives relating to school start times that are supported by national education advocacy organizations; and
(D) reviews any available literature regarding the experience of students in other states that have delayed school day start times;
(2) prepare an assessment on the effect of delayed school day start times on the health, safety, and academic performance of students; and
(3) provide recommendations to the agency regarding the feasibility of establishing a pilot program to test delayed school day start times.
SECTION 4. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2024, the task force shall deliver to the commissioner of education a report that includes the findings from the study, a summary of information considered for the purposes of the study, and the recommendations on the feasibility of a pilot program.
SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2025.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
