86R13367 SOS-D
 
  By: Ramos H.B. No. 3893
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to tuition and fees exemptions at public institutions of
  higher education for certain dual credit students considering a
  teaching career.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 54.363, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.363.  GROW YOUR OWN EDUCATOR EXEMPTION [EDUCATIONAL
  AIDES].
         SECTION 2.  Section 54.363, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (b), (c), and (c-1) and adding Subsection
  (c-2) to read as follows:
         (b)  The governing board of an institution of higher
  education shall exempt an eligible educational aide or high school
  student from the payment of tuition and fees, other than class or
  laboratory fees.
         (c)  To be eligible for an exemption under this section as an
  educational aide, a person must:
               (1)  be a resident of this state;
               (2)  be a school employee serving in any capacity;
               (3)  for the initial term or semester for which the
  person receives an exemption under this section, have worked as an
  educational aide for at least one school year during the five years
  preceding that term or semester;
               (4)  establish financial need as determined by
  coordinating board rule;
               (5)  be enrolled at the institution of higher education
  granting the exemption in courses required for teacher
  certification in one or more subject areas determined by the Texas
  Education Agency to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers
  at the public schools in this state;
               (6)  maintain an acceptable grade point average as
  determined by coordinating board rule; and
               (7)  comply with any other requirements adopted by the
  coordinating board under this section.
         (c-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(5), a person who
  previously received a tuition exemption under this section as an
  educational aide remains eligible for an exemption if the person:
               (1)  is enrolled at an institution of higher education
  granting the exemption in courses required for teacher
  certification; and
               (2)  meets the eligibility requirements in Subsection
  (c) other than Subsection (c)(5).
         (c-2)  To be eligible for an exemption under this section as
  a high school student, a person must:
               (1)  be enrolled at a public high school in dual credit
  courses under Section 28.009 offered through the institution of
  higher education granting the exception;
               (2)  be a member of a future teacher association; and
               (3)  comply with any other requirements adopted by the
  coordinating board under this section.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
  adopt or amend rules to implement Section 54.363, Education Code,
  as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.