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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the designation of support services liaison officers at |
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public institutions of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.9358 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.9358. DESIGNATION OF SUPPORT SERVICES LIAISON |
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OFFICER TO ASSIST STUDENTS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board. |
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(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) Each institution of higher education shall designate at |
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least one employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer |
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for current or incoming students at the institution. The liaison |
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officer shall provide to the students comprehensive information |
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regarding support services and other resources available to the |
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students, including: |
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(1) resources to access: |
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(A) medical and behavioral health coverage and |
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services; and |
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(B) public benefit programs, including programs |
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related to food security, affordable housing, and housing |
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subsidies; |
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(2) public benefit program case management assistance |
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and counseling; |
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(3) parenting and child care resources; |
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(4) employment assistance; |
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(5) financial counseling and tax preparation |
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assistance; |
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(6) transportation assistance; |
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(7) student academic success strategies; and |
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(8) any other resources developed by the institution |
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to assist the students. |
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(c) An institution of higher education may designate under |
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Subsection (b) the same employee to act as liaison officer as the |
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employee designated under Section 51.9356 to act as liaison officer |
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for current and incoming students at the institution who were |
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formerly in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and |
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Protective Services. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 |
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academic year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |