80R7642 CAE-D

By: Lucio III, Guillen H.B. No. 2383

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision to certain public school students of a subsidy to pay the costs of a trade or occupation certification examination.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.190 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.190. SUBSIDY FOR CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION. (a) A student is entitled to a subsidy under this section if the student:

(1) successfully completes the career and technology program of a school district in which the student receives training and instruction for employment in a certain trade or occupation;

(2) passes a certification examination to qualify for a license or certificate for the trade or occupation; and

(3) demonstrates financial need.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt guidelines for determining financial need consistent with the definition of financial need adopted by the College Board and Education Testing Service.

(c) On approval by the commissioner, the agency shall pay each eligible student an amount equal to the cost paid by the student for the certification examination. To obtain a subsidy under this section, a student must:

(1) pay the fee for the examination; and

(2) submit to the commissioner a written application on a form prescribed by the commissioner demonstrating financial need and the amount of the fee paid by the student for the certification examination.

(d) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.

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, 2007.