TITLE: Relating to notice of the right to employ counsel in truancy proceedings.

SUMMARY: Relating to notice of the right to employ counsel in truancy proceedings.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to notice of the right to employ counsel in truancy proceedings. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 25.0951, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as follows: (b-1) At the time the school district files a complaint against a student or a student's parent or refers a student to juvenile court as provided by Subsection (b), the school district, in the manner described by Section 25.095, shall provide notice to the student's parent that the student or parent, as appropriate, is entitled to employ an attorney to represent the student or parent in county, justice, municipal, or juvenile court. (d) A court shall dismiss a complaint or referral made by a school district under this section that is not made in compliance with this section or for which the school district has not provided notice of the right to counsel as provided by Subsection (b-1).SECTION 2. Section 25.0951, Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies to a proceeding for failure to attend school that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act regardless of whether the offense that is the subject of the proceeding was committed before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.