87S20627 MM-D
 
  By: Jetton H.B. No. 226
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to education benefits at public institutions of higher
  education for certain survivors of public servants.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as Caleb Rule's Law.
         SECTION 2.  Section 54.354(a), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A person is eligible to receive education benefits under
  this section if the person is one of the following eligible
  survivors of an individual listed under Section 615.003, Government
  Code:
               (1)  a surviving spouse; or
               (2)  a surviving [minor] child who:
                     (A)  on the date of the listed individual's death
  is younger than 25 years of age; and
                     (B)  if the child is not a biological or adopted
  child of the listed individual, was claimed as a dependent on the
  individual's federal income tax return for the year preceding the
  year of the individual's death [as defined by Section 615.001,
  Government Code].
         SECTION 3.  Section 54.354(a), Education Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies beginning with costs charged for the spring 2022
  semester. Costs charged for an academic period before that semester
  are covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective
  date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 4.  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
  legislative session.