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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to tuition and fee exemptions for former foster children |
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with intellectual disabilities to attend comprehensive transition |
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and postsecondary programs at a public institution of higher |
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education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 54.2002, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 54.2002. EXEMPTIONS AND WAIVERS FOR STATE-FUNDED |
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COURSES ONLY. (a) Notwithstanding any other law and subject to |
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Subsection (b), a mandatory or discretionary exemption or waiver |
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from the payment of tuition or other fees under this subchapter or |
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another provision of this code applies only to courses for which an |
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institution of higher education receives formula funding. |
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(b) This section does not apply to an exemption for certain |
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students from the payment of tuition and fees for a comprehensive |
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transition and postsecondary program under Section 54.366(a-1) or |
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54.367(a-1). |
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SECTION 2. Section 54.366, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) A student described by Subsection (a) who is a student |
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with an intellectual disability, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section |
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1140, is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized by |
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this chapter for a comprehensive transition and postsecondary |
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program, as defined by that section. |
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SECTION 3. Section 54.367, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) A student described by Subsection (a) who has an |
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intellectual disability, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section 1140, is |
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exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized by this |
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chapter for a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program, |
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as defined by that section. |
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SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply |
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beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. |
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SECTION 5. 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. |