1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a written policy regulating certain travel by students
1-3 enrolled at public institutions of higher education.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
1-6 amended by adding Section 51.949 to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 51.949. POLICY REGULATING STUDENT TRAVEL. (a) In this
1-8 section, "governing board" and "institution of higher education"
1-9 have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
1-10 (b) Each governing board of an institution of higher
1-11 education shall adopt a policy regulating travel that is undertaken
1-12 by one or more students presently enrolled at the institution to
1-13 reach an activity or event that is located more than 25 miles from
1-14 the institution that is organized and sponsored by the institution
1-15 and that is:
1-16 (1) funded by the institution, and the travel is
1-17 undertaken using a vehicle owned or leased by the institution; or
1-18 (2) required by a student organization registered at
1-19 the institution.
1-20 (c) The governing board shall seek advice and comment from
1-21 the faculty and students of the institution before adopting any
1-22 policy under this section.
1-23 (d) The policy must contain provisions that address:
1-24 (1) different modes of travel likely to be used by
1-25 students; and
2-1 (2) safety issues related to student travel,
2-2 including:
2-3 (A) use of seat belts or other safety devices;
2-4 (B) passenger capacity; and
2-5 (C) for the person providing transportation
2-6 services:
2-7 (i) qualifications and training required
2-8 to operate that particular mode of travel; and
2-9 (ii) fatigue at the time of travel.
2-10 (e) The governing board shall make the policy available to
2-11 the public by publishing the policy in the institution's catalog
2-12 and by any other method the board considers appropriate.
2-13 (f) The governing board shall file a copy of the policy
2-14 adopted under this section, and any amendments to that policy, with
2-15 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
2-16 (g) This section does not create a claim or cause of action
2-17 against an institution of higher education beyond a claim or cause
2-18 of action authorized on the effective date of the Act that enacted
2-19 this section by Chapter 101, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
2-20 SECTION 2. (a) This Act applies to travel by students
2-21 enrolled at institutions of higher education during a semester or
2-22 summer session that begins on or after August 1, 2002.
2-23 (b) Not later than January 1, 2002, each governing board of
2-24 an institution of higher education shall adopt the student travel
2-25 policy required by Section 51.949, Education Code, as added by this
2-26 Act, and not later than August 1, 2002, shall file a copy of the
3-1 policy with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
3-2 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
3-3 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
3-4 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
3-5 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
3-6 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 263 passed the Senate on
March 8, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
present, not voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 263 passed the House on
May 23, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two
present, not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor