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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of a person who is homeless to take the |
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high school equivalency examination. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 7.111, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a-1) A person who does not have a high school diploma may |
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take the examination in accordance with rules adopted by the board |
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if the person is: |
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(1) over 17 years of age; |
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(2) 16 years of age or older and: |
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(A) is enrolled in a Job Corps training program |
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under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. Section 2801 |
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et seq.), and its subsequent amendments; |
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(B) a public agency providing supervision of the |
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person or having custody of the person under a court order |
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recommends that the person take the examination; [or] |
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(C) is enrolled in the Texas Military |
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Department's Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps; or |
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(D) is a person who is homeless; or |
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(3) required to take the examination under a court |
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order issued under Section 65.103(a)(3), Family Code. |
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(a-2) The board may not adopt a rule under Subsection (a-1) |
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requiring a person who is homeless to obtain the consent of the |
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person's parent or guardian before taking the examination. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2025. |