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79S10072 JRJ-D

By:  Alonzo                                                       H.B. No. 48 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to Mexican American studies programs and course work at 
certain public junior colleges.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 130.0102, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
	Sec. 130.0102.  MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM OR COURSE 
WORK. (a) [The governing board of a public junior college district 
located in one or more counties with a substantial and growing 
Mexican American population shall evaluate the demand for and 
feasibility of establishing a Mexican American studies program or 
other course work in Mexican American studies at one or more junior 
colleges in the district.]  With approval of the Texas Higher 
Education Coordinating Board, the governing board of a junior 
college district located in one or more counties with a substantial 
and growing Mexican American population may establish a Mexican 
American studies program or other course work in Mexican American 
studies at one or more of the junior [any of those] colleges in the 
district if the governing board determines that such a program or 
course work is desirable and feasible.
	(b)  Not later than June 1, 2006, and not later than June 1 of 
each 10th year after 2006, the governing board of a junior college 
district that has not established a Mexican American studies 
program or course work under Subsection (a) shall conduct a study to 
evaluate the demand for and the feasibility of establishing a 
program or course work under Subsection (a) at one or more junior 
colleges in the district.  The study must include consideration of 
the diversity of and educational needs and attainment of the 
population of the district and the region in which the district is 
located and the adequacy of the institution's resources to maintain 
a program or course work under Subsection (a).
	(c)  The governing board shall establish an advisory 
committee or retain one or more individuals or entities with 
relevant experience and expertise to perform or assist in the 
performance of the study required by Subsection (b).  To the extent 
permitted by law, the governing board shall make a good faith effort 
to solicit and encourage the use of historically underutilized 
businesses in performing the study.
	(d)  Any resident of the junior college district may bring an 
action to enforce Subsection (b) and, if the claim is successful, 
may recover reasonable and necessary attorney's fees and court 
costs.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect November 1, 2005.