SRC-DPW H.B. 2806 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2806 76R13861 JSA-DBy: Garcia (West) Education 5/13/1999 Engrossed DIGEST The University of North Texas (university), which is located in Denton, has a student population of more than 25,000. A number of students who enter the university are not prepared for college, which jeopardizes their chances for academic success. The campus and community have expressed interest in developing a mentoring program to target this group. H.B. 2806 authorizes the board of regents of the university to establish a mentoring program to provide mentoring, tutoring, and other resources to students at all levels of the educational system in the Denton area. It further requires the board to establish a program of continuing study and evaluation of mentoring activities and research and to prepare a report relating to the operation of the program. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2806 establishes a mentoring program at the University of North Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 105C, Education Code, by adding Section 105.51, as follows: Sec. 105.51. MENTORING PROGRAM. Authorizes the board of regents (board) of the University of North Texas (university) to establish a mentoring program at the university, which may consist of providing mentoring, tutoring, and other resources to students at all levels of the educational system to assist students with respect to certain goals. Authorizes the program to recruit, train, coordinate, and support mentors and tutors, and to provide other resources, to a certain population of students as defined by Section 29.081 (Compensatory and Accelerated Instruction), Education Code, or who are otherwise in need of services to assist them in attaining certain goals. Requires the board to establish in connection with the program a continuing study and evaluation of mentoring activities and research into the best practices and methods of mentoring. Requires the board to prepare a report relating to the operation of the program no later than January 1, 2001. Requires the report to include certain information. Authorizes the board to use available institutional funds, as defined by Section 51.009 (Defining and Accounting for Certain Income), Education Code, and to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source to support the program. SECTION 2. Specifies that this Act does not make an appropriation or require the board to establish a program under Section 105.51, Education Code, as added by this Act, unless money is specifically appropriated for that purpose. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.