80R6355 KEL-F
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1233
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the general property deposit paid by a student to a
public institution of higher education.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 54.502(a), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       (a)  An institution of higher education may collect a
reasonable deposit in an amount not to exceed $100 from each student
to insure the institution against any losses, damages, and breakage
for which the student is responsible and to cover any other amounts
owed by the student to the institution [in libraries and
laboratories]. The institution shall return to the student the
deposit, less any such amounts owed to the institution by the
student.  The deposit must be returned within a reasonable period
after the date of the student's withdrawal or graduation from the
institution, not to exceed 180 days, that provides the institution
with sufficient time to identify all amounts owed and to determine
that the student does not intend to enroll at the institution in the
semester or summer session immediately following the student's
withdrawal or graduation or, if the student withdraws or graduates
in the spring semester, in the next fall semester [The deposit
shall be returned on the withdrawal or graduation of a student, less
an amount necessary to cover any loss, damage, or breakage caused by
the student].
       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.