S.B. No. 1728
AN ACT
relating to the administration of and eligibility for the Joint
Admissions Medical Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 51.826, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
(a) To be eligible for admission to the program or for
selection as a program alternate, an undergraduate student must:
(1) [have enrolled at an institution of higher
education not later than the first fall semester following the
student's graduation from high school;
[(2)] be enrolled at a general academic teaching
institution or a private or independent institution of higher
education at the time of application to the program;
(2) [(3)] be a Texas resident for purposes of tuition
under Subchapter B, Chapter 54;
(3) [(4)] except as provided by Subsection (c),
successfully complete at least 27 semester credit hours during the
student's freshman year;
(4) [(5)] apply for admission to the program not later
than a date, as designated by the council, that occurs during the
fall semester of the student's sophomore year at the general
academic teaching institution or the private or independent
institution of higher education; and
(5) [(6)] meet criteria established by the council
regarding:
(A) minimum high school and undergraduate grade
point averages;
(B) financial need and any other indication of
economic disadvantage; and
(C) any other matter the council considers
appropriate.
SECTION 2. Subdivision (4), Section 51.821, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
(4) "Participating medical school" means each of the
following entities:
(A) the medical school at The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston;
(B) the medical school at The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas;
(C) the medical school at The University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio;
(D) the medical school at The University of Texas
Medical Branch at Galveston;
(E) the medical school at Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center at Lubbock;
(F) the medical school at Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center at El Paso;
(G) the Baylor College of Medicine;
(H) [(G)] the college of osteopathic medicine at
the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth;
and
(I) [(H)] the medical school at The Texas A&M
University System Health Science Center.
SECTION 3. The following laws are repealed:
(1) Subsection (b), Section 51.823, Education Code;
and
(2) Subsection (c), Section 51.8265, Education Code.
SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
date of this Act, the medical school at Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center at El Paso shall:
(1) enter into the agreement with the Joint Admission
Medical Program Council required by Section 51.829, Education Code;
and
(2) select an appropriate faculty member to represent
the medical school on the council.
(b) The medical school at Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center at El Paso shall provide internships and mentoring
under the Joint Admission Medical Program as appropriate beginning
with the 2011-2012 academic year, but is not required before the
2012-2013 academic year to admit participating students to the
medical school under the program.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act to Sections
51.826 and 51.8265, Education Code, apply beginning with applicants
for admission to the Joint Admission Medical Program during the
2009-2010 academic year.
SECTION 6. 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1728 passed the Senate on
April 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1728 passed the House on
May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor