By: Garcia H.B. No. 4490
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  Relating to educational benefits for eligible persons attending a
  comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students
  with intellectual disabilities
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section Sec. 54.001, Education Code, is amended
  by adding subsection (3)to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Institution of higher education" has the same
  meaning as is assigned to it by Section 61.003 of this code.
               (2)  "Governing board" has the same meaning as is
  assigned to it by Section 61.003 of this code.
               (3)  "COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND POSTSECONDARY
  PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES" has the same
  meaning as in 20 U.S.C. § 1140.
         SECTION 2.  Sec. 54.341(1), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 54.341.  VETERANS AND OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL;
  DEPENDENTS; and STUDENTS WHO IS ADMITTED TO ATTEND AND ATTENDS A
  COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS
  WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.
         (l)  To be eligible to receive an exemption under Subsection
  (k), the child must:
               (1)  be a student who is classified as a resident under
  Subchapter B when the child enrolls in an institution of higher
  education;
               (2)  as a graduate or undergraduate student, maintain a
  grade point average that satisfies the grade point average
  requirement for making satisfactory academic progress in a degree,
  certificate, or continuing education program as determined by the
  institution at which the child is enrolled in accordance with the
  institution's policy regarding eligibility for financial aid; or
  any student who is admitted to attend and attends a comprehensive
  transition and postsecondary program for students with
  intellectual disabilities;
               (3)  be 25 years of age or younger on the first day of
  the semester or other academic term for which the exemption is
  claimed.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2023.