By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1787
(In the Senate - Filed March 14, 2003; March 24, 2003, read
first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
May 21, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1; May 21, 2003,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1787 By: Zaffirini
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to exempting certain persons in transitional living
programs from the payment of tuition and fees at public
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.2115 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.2115. TUITION EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PERSONS IN
TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "transitional
living program" means a program that meets the grant eligibility
standards for transitional living youth projects for homeless youth
under Sections 321 and 322, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42
U.S.C. Sections 5714-1 and 5714-2), as amended.
(b) A person may be exempted from the payment of tuition and
required fees other than property deposit fees if the person:
(1) was a resident in a transitional living program
for a continuous period of at least six months occurring after the
person's 16th birthday but before the person's 22nd birthday;
(2) maintains a current residence that is separate
from that of a parent, conservator, or other guardian of the person;
(3) is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter
B;
(4) initially enrolls at an institution of higher
education as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student not
later than the person's 22nd birthday; and
(5) demonstrates financial need as determined
according to standards adopted by any institution of higher
education in which the person enrolls.
(c) Each transitional living program in this state shall
provide current program information to the Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services and shall update the information as
necessary. The department shall maintain a record of each
transitional living program in this state and shall provide a list
of the programs to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
not later than June 1 of each year.
SECTION 2. (a) This Act applies beginning with tuition and
fees for the 2004 spring semester.
(b) A public institution of higher education shall 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. 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.
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