TITLE: Relating to the applicability of certain laws to open-enrollment charter schools.

SUMMARY: Relating to the applicability of certain laws to open-enrollment charter schools.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the applicability of certain laws to open-enrollment charter schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 12.1058(c), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (b), an open-enrollment charter school operated by a tax exempt entity as described by Section 12.101(a)(3) is not considered to be a political subdivision, local government, or local governmental entity unless:(1) the applicable statute specifically states that the statute applies to an open-enrollment charter school;or (2) a provision in this chapter states that a specific statute applies to an open-enrollment charter school.SECTION 2. Chapter 617, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 617.0025 to read as follows: Sec. 617.0025. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER TO OPEN-ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL. (a) An open-enrollment charter school established under Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Education Code, is a political subdivision for purposes of this chapter. (b) A member of the governing body of a charter holder, a member of the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school, and an officer of an open-enrollment charter school are considered to be officials of a political subdivision and an employee of an open-enrollment charter school is considered to be a public employee under this chapter. SECTION 3. With respect to Section 617.0025, Government Code, as added by this Act, if an open-enrollment charter school entered into a collective bargaining contract with a labor organization before the effective date of this Act, Chapter 617, Government Code, does not apply during the term of that contract. A collective bargaining contract entered into before the effective date of this Act may not be renewed. SECTION 4. 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.