HF33 Summary

• Exempts books and information systems software from school district competitive bidding requirements for contracts.

• Extends the notice period for school referendum mailed notices from 15-30 days to 15-45 days before the referendum vote.

• Authorizes Independent School District No. 333, Ogilvie to transfer up to $800,000 from its debt redemption fund to its general fund balance without making a levy reduction, subject to commissioner approval.

• Requires school districts to screen students in kindergarten through grade 2 for dyslexia characteristics if not reading at grade level, and to report screening results and number of identified students to the commissioner annually by July 1.

• Establishes vaping prevention instruction requirements for grades 6-8 and encourages evidence-based vaping prevention for grades 9-12, and adds mental illness training requirements to teacher license renewal.

• Prohibits disciplinary dismissals of preschool and prekindergarten students except after exhausting nonexclusionary discipline resources and only when an ongoing serious safety threat exists.

• Delays the effective date for early learning scholarship program eligibility requirements from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 for programs to achieve three- or four-star ratings.