By: Turner of Tarrant H.B. No. 3951
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring a public institution of higher education to
  designate a person trained in student financial assistance programs
  for military veterans and their families.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 56.006 to read as follows:
         Sec. 56.006.  EMPLOYEE TRAINED IN STUDENT FINANCIAL
  ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES.  (a)  Each
  institution of higher education shall designate one or more persons
  trained:
               (1)  in understanding state and federal student
  financial assistance programs available to military veterans or
  their family members, especially programs specifically applicable
  to military veterans or their family members; and
               (2)  in assisting military veterans and eligible family
  members in understanding and obtaining the benefits available under
  those programs.
         (b)  A person described by Subsection (a) must be available
  to perform the duties related to the employment described by that
  subsection during regular business hours at the financial aid or
  other office to which the person is assigned.
         SECTION 2.  A public institution of higher education shall
  comply with Section 56.006, Education Code, as added by this Act,
  concerning employment of a person to provide student financial
  assistance for military veterans and their families not later than
  January 1, 2010.
         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, 2009.