80R2519 KSD-D
 
  By: Watson S.B. No. 457
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility for education benefits of surviving
minor children of certain public employees killed in the line of
duty.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 615.0225(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
       (a)  A person is eligible to receive education benefits under
this section if the person is:
             (1)  a surviving spouse; or
             (2)  a surviving minor child as defined by Section
615.001[, if the child was claimed as a dependent on the income tax
return filed with the Internal Revenue Service by the listed
individual in the year preceding the year in which the listed
individual died].
       SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act to Section
615.0225(a), Government Code, regarding the eligibility of a
surviving child for educational benefits applies in relation to a
death that occurs on or after September 1, 2001. However, that
change applies only with respect to education benefits awarded by
an institution of higher education beginning with the 2007 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, 2007.