81R4940 KSD-D

By: Villarreal H.B. No. 1242

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to credit toward future coursework for tuition paid to a public institution of higher education for courses dropped by a student who is pregnant or gives birth to a child.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.0066 to read as follows:

Sec. 54.0066. CREDIT FOR TUITION PAID BY STUDENT WHO IS PREGNANT OR GIVES BIRTH. (a) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall permit a student enrolled in the institution who drops a course during a term or semester in which the student is pregnant or gives birth to a child to receive a credit for any tuition paid by the student for that course, other than tuition that is refunded to the student. The student may apply the credit toward the payment of tuition for any courses taken by the student at the institution during the two years following the term or semester during which the student dropped the course.

(b) To be eligible for tuition credit under this section, a student must submit a written request to the institution of higher education not later than the 90th day after the last day of the term or semester during which the student dropped the course.

(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules for the administration of this section, including a rule establishing the form to be used by a student to request tuition credit under this section. The form must require the signature of the student's treating physician, or of a nurse or physician assistant under the direct supervision of the physician, certifying that the student was pregnant or gave birth to a child during the term or semester during which the student dropped the course.

SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt the rules required by Section 54.0066, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act. For that purpose, the coordinating board may adopt the initial rules in the manner provided by law for emergency rules.

SECTION 3. Section 54.0066, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2009 fall semester. A student may not receive credit under that section for tuition paid for a course taken before the 2009 fall semester.

SECTION 4. 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, 2009.