By Burnam                                             H.B. No. 2898
         77R7970 KSD-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to loan repayment assistance for certain social workers
 1-3     who work for the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
 1-6     Subchapter X to read as follows:
 1-7      SUBCHAPTER X. REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN SOCIAL WORKER EDUCATION LOANS
 1-8           Sec. 61.951.  REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED.  (a)  The
 1-9     board shall provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board
1-10     rules, assistance in the repayment of  education loans for social
1-11     workers who apply and qualify for the assistance.
1-12           (b)  The provision of financial assistance in the repayment
1-13     of education loans under this subchapter promotes a public purpose.
1-14           Sec. 61.952.  ELIGIBILITY.  To be eligible to receive
1-15     repayment assistance, a person must:
1-16                 (1)  apply to the board;
1-17                 (2)  have graduated from an accredited public or
1-18     private institution of higher education in or outside this state
1-19     with a baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work; and
1-20                 (3)  currently work as a social worker for the
1-21     Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
1-22           Sec. 61.953.  LIMITATIONS. (a)  A social worker may receive
1-23     repayment assistance grants for each of not more than five years.
1-24           (b)  The amount of loan repayment assistance received by a
 2-1     social worker under this subchapter in one year may not exceed 20
 2-2     percent of the total amount of the social worker's outstanding
 2-3     education loans, including scheduled interest payments that would
 2-4     become due if the loan is not  prepaid, when the social worker
 2-5     enters into the agreement.
 2-6           Sec. 61.954.  ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a)  The board may provide
 2-7     repayment assistance for the repayment of any education loan
 2-8     received by the social worker through any lender for education
 2-9     while enrolled at an institution of higher education described by
2-10     Section 61.952(2) in a baccalaureate or graduate degree program in
2-11     social work.
2-12           (b)  The board may not provide repayment assistance for an
2-13     education loan that is in default at the time of the social
2-14     worker's application.
2-15           Sec. 61.955.  REPAYMENT. (a)  The board shall deliver any
2-16     repayment assistance made under this subchapter in a lump sum
2-17     payable to the lender and the social worker and in accordance with
2-18     any applicable federal law.
2-19           (b)  Loan repayment assistance received under this subchapter
2-20     may be applied to the principal amount of the loan and to interest
2-21     that accrues.
2-22           Sec. 61.956.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  The board may appoint an
2-23     advisory committee from outside the board's membership to assist
2-24     the board in performing the board's duties under this subchapter.
2-25           Sec. 61.957.  ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.  The board may solicit and
2-26     accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this
2-27     subchapter.
 3-1           Sec. 61.958.  RULES. The board shall adopt rules necessary
 3-2     for the administration of this subchapter.
 3-3           SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
 3-4     shall adopt the rules for the repayment assistance program under
 3-5     Subchapter X, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, not
 3-6     later than December 1, 2001.
 3-7           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.