79R3700 CAS-D

By:  Hope                                                         H.B. No. 1278



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to academic advisors at public institutions of higher 
education.   
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 51.954 to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.954.  ACADEMIC ADVISORS.  (a)  In this section:                 
		(1)  "Academic advisor" means any person employed by an 
institution of higher education whose primary employment 
responsibility is to advise students concerning academic policies 
and procedures, such as course requirements for a particular degree 
plan, course load or other academic requirements, and degree 
progress.  The term does not apply to a person employed by the 
institution whose primary employment responsibility is to provide 
career counseling services to students.
		(2)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning 
assigned by Section 61.003.
	(b)  A person may not serve as an academic advisor at an 
institution of higher education unless the person has:
		(1)  earned a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any 
field; and     
		(2)  completed a specialized training process for 
academic advisors as provided by Subsection (c).
	(c)  Each institution of higher education shall develop and 
provide training for academic advisors at the institution.  The 
training must address:
		(1)  the detailed requirements, policies, and 
procedures about which the advisor will be authorized to advise 
students; and
		(2)  effective methods for communicating that advice to 
students.    
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Each public institution of higher education 
shall develop and begin to offer the training for academic advisors 
required by Section 51.954(c), Education Code, as added by this 
Act, not later than May 1, 2006.
	(b)  Section 51.954(b), Education Code, as added by this Act, 
applies to a person serving as an academic advisor at a public 
institution of higher education beginning with the 2006 fall 
semester.
	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, 2005.