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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on best practices in STEM programs at |
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minority-serving public institutions of higher education and to a |
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grant program to implement those practices. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 61.081 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.081. STEM PROGRAMS AT MINORITY-SERVING |
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INSTITUTIONS: STUDY AND GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Minority-serving institution" means an |
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institution of higher education designated by the United States |
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Department of Education as a minority-serving institution. |
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(2) "STEM program" means a science, technology, |
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engineering, or mathematics program at a minority-serving |
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institution. |
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(b) Not later than January 1, 2024, the board shall conduct |
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a study on best practices in STEM programs offered by |
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minority-serving institutions. The study must identify best |
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practices in the recruitment, retention, and advancement of members |
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of racial and ethnic minority groups in STEM programs. |
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(c) For the 2024-2025 academic year, from funds |
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appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the board |
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shall award grants to minority-serving institutions to implement |
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the best practices identified by the study conducted under |
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Subsection (b). The board shall develop a competitive application |
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process to award the grants. |
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(d) This section expires September 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2023. |