| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
| |
|
|
relating to requiring foreign language credit opportunities for |
|
|
students enrolled in study abroad programs offered by certain |
|
|
institutions of higher education in this state. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 51.313 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 51.313. STUDY ABROAD: FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY. |
|
|
(a) In this section, "institution of higher education" and |
|
|
"private or independent institution of higher education" have the |
|
|
meanings assigned by Section 61.003. |
|
|
(b) For the purpose of providing the opportunity for |
|
|
students to gain proficiency in a foreign language, an institution |
|
|
of higher education or a private or independent institution of |
|
|
higher education that, through any baccalaureate degree program, |
|
|
offers a study abroad program in a location where a language other |
|
|
than English is primarily spoken shall provide an option that |
|
|
allows a student enrolled in the study abroad program to earn |
|
|
foreign language credit as part of that program. |
|
|
(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may |
|
|
establish procedures and adopt rules to implement this section. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 51.313, Education Code, as added by this |
|
|
Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. |
|
|
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, 2025. |
|
|
|
|
|
* * * * * |