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79R9294 JRJ-D
By: Alonzo H.B. No. 3413
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 September 1, 2005.