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 representative 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.