82R2733 KEL-D

By: Lucio S.B. No. 1705

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to temporary housing between academic terms for certain postsecondary students who have been under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.976 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.976. TEMPORARY HOUSING BETWEEN ACADEMIC TERMS FOR STUDENTS FORMERLY UNDER CONSERVATORSHIP OF DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES. (a) In this section:

(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

(2) "Academic term" includes a summer session.

(b) To be eligible to receive housing assistance from an institution of higher education under Subsection (c), a student must:

(1) at any time before the student's 18th birthday, have been under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services or its predecessor in function;

(2) be enrolled full-time at the institution during the academic term immediately preceding the period for which the student requests the housing assistance;

(3) be registered or otherwise have taken the actions required by the institution to permit the student to enroll full-time at the institution during the academic term immediately following the period for which the student requests the housing assistance; and

(4) lack other reasonable temporary housing alternatives between the academic terms described by Subdivisions (2) and (3), as determined by the institution.

(c) On the student's request, each institution of higher education shall assist an eligible student in locating temporary housing for any period beginning on the last day of an academic term and ending on the first day of the immediately following academic term, according to the institution's academic calendar.

(d) For each eligible student under Subsection (b) who also demonstrates financial need, the institution may:

(1) provide a stipend to cover any reasonable costs of the temporary housing that are not covered by other financial aid immediately available to the student for that purpose; or

(2) provide temporary housing directly to the student for the applicable period.

(e) The receipt of a stipend under Subsection (d) does not prohibit the student from receiving additional stipends under that subsection in one or more subsequent periods, based on the student's demonstrated financial need.

(f) An institution of higher education may use any available revenue, including legislative appropriations, and may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this section. The institution shall use any gifts, grants, and donations received for the purposes of this section before using other revenue.

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, 2011.