89R3329 KJE-D

By: Bucy H.B. No. 433

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Higher Education and Corrections Council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 3, Education Code, is amended by adding Chapter 64 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 64. HIGHER EDUCATION AND CORRECTIONS COUNCIL

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 64.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Career school or college" has the meaning assigned by Section 132.001.

(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(3) "Council" means the Higher Education and Corrections Council.

(4) "Department" means the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

(5) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

SUBCHAPTER B. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL

Sec. 64.051. ESTABLISHMENT. The Higher Education and Corrections Council is established to help coordinate and make recommendations to the coordinating board and the department regarding educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.

Sec. 64.052. COUNCIL MEMBERS. (a) The council consists of the following 11 members:

(1) a member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) a member of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) the following members appointed by the commissioner of higher education:

(A) an employee of the coordinating board;

(B) an employee of a career school or college;

(C) an employee of an institution of higher education;

(D) a researcher who studies higher education in correctional facilities;

(E) a formerly incarcerated individual who participated in higher education programs while incarcerated in a prison in this state; and

(F) the executive director of a nonprofit organization engaged in criminal justice work in this state or the executive director's designee;

(4) the executive director of the department or the executive director's designee;

(5) an employee of the department appointed by the executive director of the department; and

(6) the executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission or the executive director's designee.

(b) A council member serves at the will of the appointing authority.

Sec. 64.053. MEMBER TERMS. Council members serve staggered two-year terms, with six members' terms expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year and five members' terms expiring February 1 of each even-numbered year.

Sec. 64.054. VACANCY. A vacancy on the council is filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

Sec. 64.055. CO-CHAIRS. The council members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor serve as co-chairs of the council.

Sec. 64.056. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A council member is not entitled to compensation or reimbursement of expenses incurred in performing council duties.

SUBCHAPTER C. DUTIES OF COUNCIL

Sec. 64.101. GENERAL DUTIES. The council shall:

(1) coordinate, facilitate, and support the delivery of higher education in correctional facilities in this state to prepare incarcerated individuals for integration and productive employment on release;

(2) explore and make recommendations for the efficient and effective delivery of higher education programs to incarcerated individuals, including:

(A) evidence-based practices and technologies;

(B) methods of maximizing and facilitating access to educational programs;

(C) methods of supporting and facilitating timely completion of courses and certificate and degree programs;

(D) methods of emphasizing educational programs that:

(i) align with current and future workforce demands in this state;

(ii) lead to occupations that are accessible to formerly incarcerated individuals;

(iii) provide sustainable wages after release; and

(iv) maximize accessibility and timely completion during incarceration;

(E) use of cross-institutional coursework application toward certificate and degree programs;

(F) use of coursework that encourages personal and civic development; and

(G) methods of leveraging innovative course delivery, including technology resources;

(3) explore methods and make recommendations for the collection and analysis of critical data regarding:

(A) enrollment and completion of higher education courses, credentials, and certificate and degree programs;

(B) federal and state student aid awarded to incarcerated individuals;

(C) costs of higher education in correctional facilities, including any recommendations for continued improvement; and

(D) outcomes of formerly incarcerated individuals who participated in higher education programming during incarceration and are on parole, including recidivism, employment, and post-release higher education engagement; and

(4) make recommendations regarding legislative appropriations requests to support the council's purposes and objectives.

Sec. 64.102. REPORT. Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit to the legislature, the coordinating board, and the department a report regarding the council's duties under this chapter during the preceding two years and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The report must include:

(1) the number of incarcerated individuals enrolled in higher education; and

(2) the number of incarcerated individuals who received a certificate or degree.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the appointing authorities shall make the initial appointments required under Section 64.052, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. 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. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.