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.