SRC-JJJ, ARR H.B. 3762 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3762
76R4044 JSA-DBy: Gallego (West)
Education
5/12/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Resocialization is the Texas Youth Commission's (TYC) comprehensive
treatment approach to rehabilitate troubled juveniles.  The program
concentrates on correctional therapy, education, work, and discipline
training.  Currently, the focus of the agency's educational efforts is to
guide students toward obtaining  either a high school diploma or a General
Equivalency Diploma.  H.B. 3762 would establish provisions regarding the
granting of college credit for completion of the TYC resocialization. 
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3762 establishes provisions regarding the granting of
college credit for completion of the Texas Youth Commission
resocialization.  

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 51F, Education Code, by adding Section 51.309,
as follows: 

Sec. 51.309.  COURSE CREDIT FOR TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION RESOCIALIZATION
PROGRAM.  (a)  Requires each institution of higher education (institution)
to grant a person enrolled in the institution as an undergraduate student
course credit for successful completion of a comprehensive resocialization
program administered by the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) to children
committed to TYC, if the program includes a mandatory academic component.
Requires TYC to certify to a designated institution that the person
successfully completed the program, including the academic component.    

(b)  Requires the course credit to be for at least three semester credit
hours, and provides that the student is entitled to count the credit toward
required credit hours for the student's undergraduate certificate or degree
at the institution.  Authorizes the institution to grant the course credit
either at the institution or as an elective course that is not equivalent
to any course offered by the institution.  Provides that the  institution
is not required to grant the course credit in satisfaction of any
particular course required for completion of the student's certificate or
degree program. 
 
(c)  Requires TYC to consult with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (THECB) at least once a year relating to the academic component of
TYC's comprehensive resocialization program.  Authorizes THECB to recommend
changes in the academic component to assist TYC to ensure that the person
assists children in the program to develop academic skills and knowledge
that are necessary to perform college-level work. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999 fall
semester, and applies to an undergraduate student enrolled in an
institution, regardless of when the person enrolled. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
   Effective date: upon passage.