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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a grant program to assist certain |
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current and former peace officers in receiving a teacher |
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certification. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.066 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.066. TEACHER CERTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM FOR PEACE |
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OFFICERS. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available for |
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the purpose, the board shall establish a grant program to enable |
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eligible persons to receive a teacher certification under this |
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subchapter. |
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(b) To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, a |
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person must: |
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(1) be: |
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(A) a peace officer, as defined by Article 2.12, |
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Code of Criminal Procedure; or |
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(B) a retired peace officer, as defined by |
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Section 1701.3161, Occupations Code; and |
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(2) hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of |
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higher education that is, and at the time the person received the |
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degree was, accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting |
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organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating |
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Board. |
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(c) A grant awarded under this section may be used only to |
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pay: |
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(1) the costs of an educator preparation program or |
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alternative educator certification program; or |
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(2) a fee assessed for the administration of an |
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examination prescribed under Section 21.048 for teacher |
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certification. |
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(d) The board shall propose rules necessary to implement |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |