BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2108

By: Allison

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reducing financial barriers for former foster care youth who are pursuing higher education may help those students achieve their academic goals and build a better future for themselves. H.B. 2108 seeks to reduce financial barriers to higher education by providing for an extension of eligibility for established exemptions for tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.  

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2108 amends the Education Code to extend eligibility for the exemption of payment of tuition and fees charged by a public institution of higher education to any student who was under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day preceding the date the student is adopted or the date permanent managing conservatorship is awarded to a person other than the student's parent, as applicable. The bill applies beginning with tuition and fees charged for the 2023 fall semester.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.