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By: Raney, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Menéndez) |
H.B. No. 846 |
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(In the Senate - Received from the House April 18, 2017; |
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April 19, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on |
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Veteran Affairs & Border Security; May 17, 2017, reported |
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adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following |
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vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 17, 2017, sent to printer.) |
Click here to see the committee vote |
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COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 846 |
By: Lucio |
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the implementation of student financial assistance |
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programs for veterans and their families. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 56.0065 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 56.0065. STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR |
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VETERANS AND FAMILIES; EQUAL PROTECTION. (a) In this section, |
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"private or independent institution of higher education" has the |
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meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) An institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education may not impose |
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additional fees, obligations, or burdens concerning payment or |
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registration on a student eligible for state or federal military |
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related student financial assistance programs for military |
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veterans or their family members that are not otherwise required by |
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those programs to be imposed for the purpose of receiving that |
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assistance. |
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(c) An institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education must provide for a |
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student described by Subsection (b) to defer payment of tuition and |
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fees if the receipt of military related financial assistance |
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awarded to the student is delayed by less than 60 days. The Texas |
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Veterans Commission, in cooperation with institutions of higher |
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education and private or independent institutions of higher |
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education, shall prescribe a standard deferment request form for |
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the purposes of this subsection. |
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(d) This section does not prohibit an institution of higher |
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education or a private or independent institution of higher |
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education from requiring a student described by Subsection (b) to |
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submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply |
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beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |
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