| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to an excused absence from a public institution of higher |
|
|
education for a student called to required military service. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 51.9111, Education Code, |
|
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 51.9111. EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR REQUIRED [ACTIVE] |
|
|
MILITARY SERVICE. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 51.9111(a)(2), Education Code, is |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(2) "Required [Active] military service" includes |
|
|
required [active] military service performed by a member of the |
|
|
Texas National Guard or the Texas State Guard. |
|
|
SECTION 3. Sections 51.9111(b) and (c), Education Code, are |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(b) This section applies only if: |
|
|
(1) a student enrolled in an institution of higher |
|
|
education fails to attend classes or engage in other required |
|
|
activities because the student is called to required [active] |
|
|
military service that is of a reasonably brief duration, as |
|
|
determined by rule adopted under Subsection (d); and |
|
|
(2) the student chooses not to withdraw as authorized |
|
|
by Section 54.006(f). |
|
|
(c) An institution of higher education shall excuse a |
|
|
student from attending classes or engaging in other required |
|
|
activities, including examinations, in order for the student to |
|
|
participate in required [active] military service to which the |
|
|
student is called, including travel associated with the service. A |
|
|
student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be |
|
|
penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to complete an |
|
|
assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused |
|
|
within a reasonable time after the absence. An instructor may |
|
|
appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily |
|
|
complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time |
|
|
after the absence. |
|
|
SECTION 4. (a) Section 51.9111, Education Code, as amended |
|
|
by this Act, applies beginning with the 2021 fall semester. |
|
|
(b) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this |
|
|
Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt or |
|
|
amend rules as necessary to implement Section 51.9111, Education |
|
|
Code, as amended by this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 5. 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, 2021. |