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HB 371

Relating to the admission to public schools of children unlawfully present in the United States and the eligibility of those children for the benefits of the available school fund and Foundation School Program.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ben Bumgarner

HB 371 clarifies undocumented children's admission and state funding eligibility in Texas public schools, potentially restricting Foundation School Program access.

Referred to Public Education
#availableschoolfund(s0733) #aliens(i0032) #educationagency #texas(v9941) #education--primary&secondary--admission&attendance(i0227) #education--primary&secondary--finance(i0250) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #federalrelations(s0862) #foundationschoolprogram(s0541)
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Bill Summary · HB 371

Legislative bill overview

HB 371 addresses the admission of undocumented children to Texas public schools and their access to state education funding mechanisms including the Foundation School Program and available school fund. The bill appears designed to clarify or potentially restrict the eligibility pathways for these students to receive state education funding.

Why is this important

Public school funding in Texas is partly allocated through per-pupil formulas, so determining which students count toward funding distributions affects both school budgets and educational access for all students. This directly impacts approximately 60,000+ undocumented school-age children in Texas and the districts serving them, while also influencing per-pupil funding calculations statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal law conflict: Plyler v. Doe (1982) guarantees K-12 public education to all children regardless of immigration status; any restrictions could face legal challenges
  • Funding equity: Excluding certain students from funding formulas may underfund districts with high undocumented populations while shifting costs to local property taxes
  • Implementation mechanics: Schools would need clear procedures to verify immigration status, raising privacy and practical administration concerns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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