80R9896 TAD-D

By: Alonzo, et al. H.B. No. 1427

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1427:

By: Brown of Brazos C.S.H.B. No. 1427

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an optometry career program at the University of Houston.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 111.43 to read as follows:

Sec. 111.43. OPTOMETRY CAREER PROGRAM. (a) The college of optometry at the university may operate a summer program that prepares highly qualified, economically and academically disadvantaged junior-level, senior-level, and postbaccalaureate students from any public or private institution of higher education for advanced studies and a career in the field of optometry. The program may include:

(1) courses in improvement of study skills and Optometry Admission Test preparation courses;

(2) a review of selected undergraduate academic courses that are prerequisites for admission to advanced degree programs in optometry;

(3) academic courses that are designed to familiarize students with the course work in advanced degree programs in optometry;

(4) clinical work; and

(5) extracurricular activities, including observing professionals working in the field of optometry.

(b) To the extent practicable, and consistent with the purposes of the program, the college of optometry shall operate the program in a manner designed to assist students to obtain course credit for the program from their respective institutions of higher education.

(c) The college of optometry shall:

(1) recruit eligible undergraduate or postbaccalaureate students for admission to the program;

(2) establish an application process for admitting eligible undergraduate or postbaccalaureate students to the program;

(3) develop reasonable requirements for admission to the program;

(4) monitor the implementation of the program; and

(5) assist in developing services, including career counseling, to support and encourage the pursuit of advanced studies and careers in the field of optometry.

(d) The college of optometry may solicit and accept gifts and grants from any public or private source for the purposes of this section. The legislature may appropriate money for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 2. 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, 2007.