BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 719
	By: Zaffirini
	Higher Education
	3/3/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2015, S.B. 37 required the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to collect and study data regarding the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in undergraduate and graduate level course work at public institutions of higher education, including data regarding applications, recruitment, admissions, retention, graduation, and professional licensing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. S.B. 37, however, did not explicitly require THECB to track or collect data related to persons with IDD participating in workforce continuing education programs at institutions of higher education, which technically would not be considered part of undergraduate or graduate programs.

S.B. 719 would include in THECB's requirement to collect and maintain data relating to the participation of persons with IDD workforce continuing education programs that are eligible for funding through the state.

As proposed, S.B. 719 amends current law relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and study data on the participation of persons with intellectual disabilities in workforce education programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.� Amends Section 61.0664(a), Education Code, to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and maintain data, including data regarding retention, graduation, and professional licensing, relating to the 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. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2.� Effective date: September 1, 2017.