87S20452 MM-D By: Dominguez H.B. No. 203 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to requiring public schools to offer a virtual learning option during a disaster. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.9092 to read as follows: Sec. 29.9092. VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION DURING DISASTER. (a) During any school year in which a school district's or open-enrollment charter school's operations, including in-person attendance, are disrupted due to a disaster declared by the president of the United States under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.) or by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, the district or school shall offer to the district's or school's students a virtual learning option through which students may attend school virtually. (b) A student enrolled in a virtual learning option under this section shall be counted toward the school district's or open-enrollment charter school's average daily attendance in the same manner as other district or school students. The commissioner shall adopt rules providing for a method of taking attendance, once each school day, for students enrolled in a virtual learning option. (c) Chapter 30A does not apply to a virtual course offered under a virtual learning option under this section. SECTION 2. 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 on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.