SRC-TJG S.B. 1787 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1787
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
4/10/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Transitional living programs have been developed to provide residential
and other support services to homeless youths aged 16-21.  Currently,
certain individuals in foster care are exempt from the payment of tuition
and fees at public institutions of higher learning.  As proposed, S.B.
1787 extends the same exemption to certain individuals in transitional
living programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 54D, Education Code, by adding Section 54.2115,
as follows: 

Sec. 54.2115.  TUITION EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PERSONS IN TRANSITIONAL
LIVING PROGRAM.  (a) Defines "transitional living program." 

(b) Provides that a person is exempt from the payment of tuition and
required fees other than property deposit fees if the person meets certain
requirements. 

(c) Requires each transitional living program in this state to provide
current program information to the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services (DPRS) and update the information as necessary.  Requires DPRS to
maintain a record of each transitional living program in this state and to
provide a list of the programs to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board not later than June 1 of each year. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2004 Spring
Semester.  Requires a public institution of higher education to adopt the
standards for financial need as described by Section 54.2115, Education
Code, as added by this Act, not later than the 30th day after the
effective date of this Act. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.