By: Turner of Tarrant H.B. No. 3951
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring a public institution of higher education to
designate a person trained in student financial assistance programs
for military veterans and their families.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 56.006 to read as follows:
Sec. 56.006. EMPLOYEE TRAINED IN STUDENT FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES. (a) Each
institution of higher education shall designate one or more persons
trained:
(1) in understanding state and federal student
financial assistance programs available to military veterans or
their family members, especially programs specifically applicable
to military veterans or their family members; and
(2) in assisting military veterans and eligible family
members in understanding and obtaining the benefits available under
those programs.
(b) A person described by Subsection (a) must be available
to perform the duties related to the employment described by that
subsection during regular business hours at the financial aid or
other office to which the person is assigned.
SECTION 2. A public institution of higher education shall
comply with Section 56.006, Education Code, as added by this Act,
concerning employment of a person to provide student financial
assistance for military veterans and their families not later than
January 1, 2010.
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, 2009.