Amend CSSB 6 (House Committee Report) by adding the following 
appropriately numbered SECTIONS to ARTICLE 1 of the bill and 
renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 1 of the bill 
appropriately:
	SECTION ___.  Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter EE to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER EE. REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN SOCIAL WORKER EDUCATION LOANS 
IN CERTAIN COUNTIES; PILOT PROGRAM
	Sec. 61.9741.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter applies only 
to a county with a population of less than two million in which a 
municipality with a population of more than one million is located.
	Sec. 61.9742.  REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. (a)  The 
board shall establish a pilot program under which the board 
provides, in accordance with this subchapter and board rules, 
assistance in the repayment of education loans for social workers 
who apply and qualify for the assistance.
	(b)  The provision of financial assistance in the repayment 
of education loans under this subchapter promotes a public purpose.
	Sec. 61.9743.  ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive 
repayment assistance, a person:
		(1)  must apply to the board;                                          
		(2)  must have graduated from an accredited public or 
private institution of higher education in or outside this state 
with a baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work;
		(3)  must currently work as an entry-level investigator 
for the Department of Family and Protective Services and have 
worked in that position for at least one year; and
		(4)  may not have received any funds from the 
Department of Family and Protective Services available under Title 
IV-D, federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 670 et seq.).
	Sec. 61.9744.  LIMITATIONS.  The amount of loan repayment 
assistance received by a social worker under this subchapter in one 
year may not exceed the lesser of $3,300 or 20 percent of the total 
amount of the social worker's outstanding education loans, 
including scheduled interest payments that would become due if the 
loan is not prepaid, when the social worker enters into the 
agreement.
	Sec. 61.9745.  ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a)  The board may provide 
repayment assistance for the repayment of any education loan 
received by the social worker through any lender for education 
while enrolled at an institution of higher education described by 
Section 61.9743(2) in a baccalaureate or graduate degree program in 
social work.
	(b)  The board may not provide repayment assistance for an 
education loan that is in default at the time of the social worker's 
application.
	Sec. 61.9746.  REPAYMENT. (a)  The board shall deliver any 
repayment assistance made under this subchapter in a lump sum 
payable to the lender and the social worker and in accordance with 
any applicable federal law.
	(b)  Loan repayment assistance received under this 
subchapter may be applied to the principal amount of the loan and to 
interest that accrues.
	Sec. 61.9747.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The board may appoint an 
advisory committee from outside the board's membership to assist 
the board in performing the board's duties under this subchapter.
	Sec. 61.9748.  ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS. The board may solicit 
and accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this 
subchapter.
	Sec. 61.9749.  RULES. The board shall adopt rules necessary 
for the administration of this subchapter.
	Sec. 61.9750.  REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than 
December 1, 2008, the board shall submit to the legislature a report 
regarding the loan repayment assistance pilot program administered 
by the board under this subchapter.  The report must include:
		(1)  the number of persons receiving loan repayment 
assistance under this subchapter;
		(2)  an evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot 
program in encouraging social workers to maintain employment with 
the Department of Family and Protective Services and any other 
benefits or problems that result from the pilot program; and
		(3)  the board's recommendations regarding the 
elimination, continuation, or expansion of the pilot program.
	Sec. 61.9751.  EXPIRATION OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter 
expires September 1, 2009.
	SECTION ___.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 
shall adopt the rules for the repayment assistance pilot program 
under Subchapter EE, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this 
Act, not later than December 1, 2005.