86R14159 SOS-D
 
  By: Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 4124
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board on best practices to assist certain students in
  completing the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.07763 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.07763.  STUDY AND REPORT ON FREE APPLICATION FOR
  FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) COMPLETION BEST PRACTICES.  (a)  The
  board shall conduct a study to determine best practices to provide
  assistance in completing and submitting the free application for
  federal student aid (FAFSA) to an applicant who is a dependent of a
  person who lacks the documentation necessary to complete the
  application.
         (b)  The study must identify best practices to address the
  lack of access to the following information required to complete
  the FAFSA:
               (1)  federal income tax information;
               (2)  a social security number issued by the Social
  Security Administration;
               (3)  an identification document, including a driver's
  license, government-issued identification, United States passport,
  Certificate of United States Citizenship, Certificate of
  Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration
  Receipt Card, Temporary Resident Card, Refugee Travel Document, or
  Employment Authorization Document; and
               (4)  an alien registration number.
         (c)  In conducting the study, the board shall collaborate
  with general academic teaching institutions, public junior
  colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges,
  private or independent institutions of higher education, and rural
  and urban career schools or colleges, as defined by Section
  132.001.
         (d)  To the extent necessary, the board may consult with and
  consider recommendations from federal agencies in conducting the
  study.
         (e)  The recommendations resulting from the study may not
  include any recommendation to deceive, mislead, or undermine the
  United States Department of Education.
         (f)  Not later than November 1, 2020, the board shall submit
  to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
  of representatives, and the commissioner of education a written
  report on the study's results and any recommendations for
  legislative or other action.
         (g)  The board shall:
               (1)  provide a written copy of the report submitted
  under Subsection (f) to each school district or open-enrollment
  charter school high school counselor in this state; and
               (2)  post the report on the board's Internet website.
         (h)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
         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, 2019.