78R6009 KSD-D


By:  Hunter                                                       H.B. No. 1746



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from tuition and fees at public 
institutions of higher education for certain adopted students.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 54.2111 to read as follows:
	Sec. 54.2111.  EXEMPTIONS FOR ADOPTED STUDENTS FORMERLY IN 
FOSTER OR OTHER RESIDENTIAL CARE.  A student is exempt from the 
payment of tuition and fees authorized by this chapter if the 
student was:
		(1)  adopted; and                                                      
		(2)  the subject of an adoption assistance agreement 
under Subchapter D, Chapter 162, Family Code.
	SECTION 2.  Section 54.2111, Education Code, as added by 
this Act, applies beginning with tuition and fees charged for the 
2003 fall semester.  Tuition and fees charged for a semester or 
session before the 2003 fall semester are governed by the 
applicable law in effect before the effective date of this Act, and 
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.