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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to access to postsecondary courses or programs for inmates |
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of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 495, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 495.029 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 495.029. PROVISION OF POSTSECONDARY COURSES OR |
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PROGRAMS TO INMATES. (a) In this section, "institution of higher |
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education" and "private or independent institution of higher |
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education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education |
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Code. |
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(b) The board may contract with an institution of higher |
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education or a private or independent institution of higher |
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education to provide postsecondary courses or postsecondary degree |
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or certificate programs to inmates confined in a facility operated |
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by or under contract with the department. The contract must ensure |
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that inmates are able to earn academic credit for a course or |
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program offered by an institution under the contract and that the |
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credit is transferable to other public or private institutions of |
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higher education in this state. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |