81R11167 CAS-F
By: Shapiro S.B. No. 1559
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the public awareness campaign promoting higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.9701(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The board, in conjunction with the Texas Education
Agency, shall establish a statewide public awareness campaign to
promote the value and availability of higher education.
SECTION 2. Sections 61.9702 and 61.9703, Education Code,
are amended to read as follows:
Sec. 61.9702. TARGET AUDIENCE. (a) The campaign
established by the board must target [primary and secondary school]
students in the 7th through 12th grade levels.
(b) The board shall give priority to reaching [primary and
secondary school] students from groups or backgrounds that are
traditionally underrepresented in higher education, especially
students who are educationally disadvantaged, as defined by Section
5.001.
Sec. 61.9703. COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES [AGENCIES].
The board shall [may] coordinate with the Texas Education Agency,
the P-16 Council established under Section 61.076, and other
appropriate entities, including businesses, [other agencies as
necessary] to develop and implement the public awareness campaign
in order to send a strong message concerning the importance of
higher education.
SECTION 3. Subchapter CC, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.97031 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.97031. CAMPAIGN DESIGN CRITERIA. The board, in
conjunction with those entities with which the board coordinates
under Section 61.9703, shall:
(1) annually hold, on campuses of various institutions
of higher education, meetings of students described by Section
61.9702 and their parents to explain:
(A) financial aid opportunities that may make
attending an institution of higher education affordable;
(B) the reasons that higher education is
important; and
(C) secondary education courses that may help to
prepare students to succeed at institutions of higher education;
and
(2) develop support mechanisms for parents of students
described by Section 61.9702 to:
(A) assist the parents with understanding and
completing the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA);
and
(B) familiarize the parents with the actions
necessary for students to be prepared for, apply to, and attend
institutions of higher education.
SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 56.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 56.005. ADDITIONAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM. The
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with the
Texas Education Agency, shall develop a student financial aid
program designed:
(1) to provide financial aid in addition to:
(A) any aid provided under other state financial
aid programs;
(B) any aid provided under federal financial aid
programs; and
(C) any contributions from parents; and
(2) to provide financial aid to students who:
(A) have met the curriculum requirements for the
recommended or advanced high school program as determined under
Section 28.025; and
(B) have not been convicted of a criminal offense
or found under Section 54.03, Family Code, to have engaged in
delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision.
SECTION 5. 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.