Sec. 29.0031.  DYSLEXIA AND RELATED DISORDERS.  (a)  Dyslexia is an example of and meets the definition of a specific learning disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1401(30)).  If a district suspects or has a reason to suspect that a student may have dyslexia, including after evaluation or use of a reading diagnosis under Section 28.006 or 38.003, and that the student may be a child with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1401(3)), the district must:
(1)  provide to the student's parent or a person standing in parental relation to the student a form developed by the agency explaining the rights available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.) that may be additional to the rights available under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794);
(2)  comply with all federal and state requirements, including the Dyslexia Handbook: Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders, as adopted by the State Board of Education, and its subsequent amendments, regarding any evaluation of the student; and
(3)  if the student is evaluated for dyslexia or a related disorder, also evaluate the student in any other areas in which the district suspects the student may have a disability.
(b)  The multidisciplinary evaluation team and any subsequent team convened to determine a student's eligibility for special education and related services must include at least one member with specific knowledge regarding the reading process, dyslexia and related disorders, and dyslexia instruction.  The member must:
(1)  hold a licensed dyslexia therapist license under Chapter 403, Occupations Code;
(2)  hold the most advanced dyslexia-related certification issued by an association recognized by the State Board of Education, and identified in, or substantially similar to an association identified in, the program and rules adopted under Sections 7.102 and 38.003; or
(3)  if a person qualified under Subdivision (1) or (2) is not available, meet the applicable training requirements adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to Sections 7.102 and 38.003.
(c)  A member of a multidisciplinary evaluation team and any subsequent team convened to determine a student's eligibility for special education and related services as described by Subsection (b) must sign a document describing the member's participation in the evaluation of a student described by that subsection and any resulting individualized education program developed for the student.
(d)  At least once each grading period, and more often if provided for in a student's individualized education program, a school district shall provide the parent of or person standing in parental relation to a student receiving dyslexia instruction with information regarding the student's progress as a result of the student receiving that instruction.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 542 (H.B. 3928), Sec. 3, eff. June 10, 2023.