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