BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 796

By: Clardy

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that expanding the work-study student mentorship program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would help the state meet certain higher education goals. H.B. 796 seeks to provide for that expansion.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 796 amends the Education Code to include as an authorized role for a student employed under the work-study student mentorship program as part of the Texas college work-study program supporting student interventions at participating eligible institutions that are focused on increasing completion of degrees or certificates, such as interventions occurring through advising or supplemental instruction. The bill replaces the requirement that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board partner with participating nonprofit organizations to establish additional GO Centers or similar high school-based recruiting centers with an authorization for the coordinating board to do so and includes improving student success in higher education as an additional objective of such centers. The bill includes an advisor employed under the work-study student mentorship program as a person with whom an eligible institution participating in the program may require students who are on academic probation to be matched, as an alternative to a student mentor employed under the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.