By: Taylor of Galveston S.B. No. 2082

(In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2017; March 28, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; April 20, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 20, 2017, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the work-study student mentorship program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 56.079(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (i), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) In accordance with this section and coordinating board rules, the coordinating board shall administer a work-study student mentorship program under which students who are enrolled at participating eligible institutions and who meet the eligibility requirements for employment in the Texas college work-study program under Section 56.075 may be employed by participating entities under the Texas college work-study program to:

(1) mentor students at participating eligible institutions or high school students in participating school districts; [or]

(2) counsel high school students at GO Centers or similar high school-based recruiting centers designed to improve student access to higher education; or

(3) support 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.

(c) To participate in the work-study student mentorship program under Subsection (b)(1) or (2), an eligible institution and one or more school districts or nonprofit organizations interested in jointly participating in the program shall file with the coordinating board a joint memorandum of understanding detailing the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities.

(d) The coordinating board shall develop, when applicable and in consultation with eligible institutions, school districts, and nonprofit organizations that express interest in participating in the work-study student mentorship program, [shall develop] a standard contract establishing the roles and responsibilities of participating entities to be used as a model for a memorandum of understanding entered into by participating entities under Subsection (c).

(e) The coordinating board:

(1) shall establish criteria to ensure that the participating eligible institution's contribution toward the wages and benefits of a student employed [as a mentor] under the work-study student mentorship program as provided by Subsection (b)(1) or (2) is matched by funds provided by the participating entity benefiting from the services of the employed student in an amount that is at least equal to the amount of the participating eligible institution's contribution;

(2) may accept appropriate in-kind contributions from participating nonprofit organizations to satisfy the matching funds requirement of this subsection; and

(3) may waive the matching funds requirement of this subsection for a participating entity that meets criteria established by the coordinating board for a waiver.

(f) The coordinating board may [shall] partner with participating nonprofit organizations to establish additional GO Centers or similar high school-based recruiting centers designed to improve student access to and success in higher education in this state.

(i) An eligible institution participating in the work-study student mentorship program under this section may require students who are on academic probation at the institution to be matched with a student mentor or advisor employed under the program.

SECTION 2. 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, 2017.

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