HBA-GUM H.B. 3762 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3762
By: Gallego
Higher Education
4/16/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

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 expands the educational incentives for TYC
youth by allowing them to earn college credit based on completion of the
resocialization program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 51, 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 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 (commission), if the program
includes a mandatory academic component.  Requires the commission, upon
written request, to certify to an institution of higher education
designated by the person that the person successfully complete the program. 

(b)  Provides that course credit granted under this section must be for at
least three credit hours.  Entitles the student to count the course credit
toward the credit hours required for the student's undergraduate
certificate or degree at the institution.  Authorizes the institution to
grant the course credit as credit for a particular course at the
institution or as credit for 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 the commission to consult with the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board at least once a year to review the academic component of
the commission's comprehensive resocialization program.  Authorizes the
coordinating board to recommend changes in the academic component to assist
the commission to ensure that the program assists member children to
develop the academic skills and knowledge 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 regardless of when the
student enrolled in the institution. 

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