86R3015 SOS-F
 
  By: Hancock S.B. No. 1357
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to services provided for students at public institutions
  of higher education who were formerly in foster care.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 51.9356, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 51.9356.  DESIGNATION OF LIAISON OFFICER TO ASSIST
  STUDENTS FORMERLY IN FOSTER CARE. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Department" means the Department of Family and
  Protective Services.
               (2)  "Institution [, "institution] of higher
  education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  Each institution of higher education shall designate at
  least one employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer
  for current and incoming students at the institution who were
  formerly in the conservatorship of the department [Department of
  Family and Protective Services].
         (c)  The liaison officer shall:
               (1)  obtain at least annually the names of and
  information regarding current and incoming students at the
  institution of higher education who were formerly in the
  conservatorship of the department; and
               (2)  provide to those students information regarding
  support services and other resources available to the students at
  the institution and any other relevant information to assist the
  students.
         (d)  The liaison officer may participate in any training that
  enables the officer to carry out the officer's duties and
  coordinate with liaison officers at other educational
  institutions.
         (e)  Each institution of higher education shall publicize,
  including through the institution's Internet website, social
  media, electronic mail, or other means of communication used by the
  institution:
               (1)  the name of and contact information for the
  institution's liaison officer; and
               (2)  information regarding support services and other
  resources available at the institution to students who were
  formerly in the conservatorship of the department.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2020, each institution
  of higher education shall publicize the information required by
  Section 51.9356(e), Education Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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.