86R24103 KJE-F

By: Walle H.B. No. 3808

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the filing of a degree plan by students at public institutions of higher education.

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

SECTION 1. Section 51.9685(a)(2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(2) "Institution of higher education" has [and "public junior college" have] the meaning [meanings] assigned by Section 61.003.

SECTION 2. Sections 51.9685(b), (c), and (g), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (c), each student enrolled at an institution of higher education in an associate or bachelor's degree program or a course for joint high school and junior college credit under Section 130.008 [at an institution of higher education] shall file a degree plan with the institution before [not later than] the end of the [second regular] semester or term immediately following the semester or term in which the student earned a cumulative total of 30 [45] or more semester credit hours for coursework successfully completed by the student, including transfer courses, international baccalaureate courses, dual credit courses, and any other course for which the institution the student attends has awarded the student college course credit, including course credit awarded by examination.

(c) A student to whom this section applies who begins the student's first semester or term at an institution of higher education with 30 [45] or more semester credit hours of course credit for courses described by Subsection (b) shall file a degree plan with the institution before [not later than] the end of that [the student's second regular] semester or term [at the institution].

(g) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with institutions of higher education, shall [may] adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section, including rules to ensure compliance with this section.

SECTION 3. Section 130.0104(c), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) In complying with the requirements regarding the filing of a degree plan under [Notwithstanding] Section 51.9685, [before the beginning of the regular semester or term immediately following the semester or term in which] a student enrolled [successfully completes a cumulative total of 30 or more semester credit hours for coursework] in a multidisciplinary studies associate degree program established under this section [, the student] must meet with an academic advisor to complete a degree plan [, as defined by Section 51.9685(a)(1),] that:

(1) accounts for all remaining credit hours required for the completion of the degree program; and

(2) emphasizes:

(A) the student's transition to a particular four-year college or university that the student chooses; and

(B) preparations for the student's intended field of study or major at the four-year college or university.

SECTION 4. Section 51.9685(c-1), Education Code, is repealed.

SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year.

SECTION 6. 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, 2019.