BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 719

By: Zaffirini

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is not explicitly required collect and maintain data relating to the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in workforce continuing education programs at public institutions of higher education, despite being required to collect and maintain data relating to undergraduate and graduate level participation of persons with such disabilities at institutions of higher education. S.B. 719 seeks to address this issue by requiring the coordinating board to collect and maintain data relating to the participation of persons with such disabilities enrolled in a workforce education program that is eligible for state-appropriated formula funding.

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

S.B. 719 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and maintain data relating to participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in a workforce education program, including a workforce continuing education program, that is eligible for state-appropriated formula funding, including data regarding retention, graduation, and professional licensing.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.