1-1 By: Bivins, Truan S.B. No. 573 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed February 7, 2001; February 8, 2001, 1-3 read first time and referred to Committee on Education; 1-4 March 1, 2001, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, 1-5 Nays 0; March 1, 2001, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to a public awareness campaign to promote the value and 1-9 availability of higher education. 1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-11 SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding 1-12 Subchapter X to read as follows: 1-13 SUBCHAPTER X. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN PROMOTING 1-14 HIGHER EDUCATION 1-15 Sec. 61.951. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. (a) The board 1-16 shall establish a statewide public awareness campaign to promote 1-17 the value and availability of higher education. 1-18 (b) The campaign may include the provision of information 1-19 on: 1-20 (1) the benefits of obtaining a postsecondary 1-21 education; 1-22 (2) the types of institutions of higher education and 1-23 degree programs available; 1-24 (3) the academic preparation needed to pursue a 1-25 postsecondary education and any other requirements for enrollment 1-26 at an institution of higher education; and 1-27 (4) how to obtain financial aid and what forms of 1-28 financial aid are available. 1-29 Sec. 61.952. TARGET AUDIENCE. (a) The campaign established 1-30 by the board must target primary and secondary school students. 1-31 (b) The board shall give priority to reaching primary and 1-32 secondary school students from groups or backgrounds that are 1-33 traditionally underrepresented in higher education. 1-34 Sec. 61.953. COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES. The board 1-35 may coordinate with other agencies as necessary to develop and 1-36 implement the public awareness campaign. 1-37 Sec. 61.954. FUNDING. The board may use any available 1-38 revenue, including legislative appropriations, and may solicit and 1-39 accept gifts, grants, and donations to undertake the campaign. 1-40 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. 1-41 * * * * *