84R2827 JSL-F

By: Dutton H.B. No. 544

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to payment by a school district of the costs of developmental coursework provided by an institution of higher education under the success initiative.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 11.181 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.181. SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTAL COURSEWORK COSTS. (a) The commissioner shall assign to a school district from which a student who is required under Section 51.3062 to enroll in developmental coursework graduates all of the costs of the developmental coursework provided by an institution of higher education. The commissioner shall assign the costs as provided by the rules adopted under this section and Section 51.3062.

(b) The commissioner, in cooperation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt rules to facilitate assigning costs to school districts for developmental coursework as provided under this section. The rules shall be designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and fundamental due process.

SECTION 2. Section 51.3062, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i-6) to read as follows:

(i-6) The board, in cooperation with the commissioner of education, shall adopt rules to facilitate assigning costs to school districts for developmental coursework as provided under Section 11.181. The rules shall be designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and fundamental due process.

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with courses taken in the 2015 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, 2015.