By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1736
(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2011; March 23, 2011, read
first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs and
Military Installations; April 11, 2011, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 11, 2011, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the College Credit for Heroes
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.0031 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.0031. COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HEROES PROGRAM. (a) In
this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) The commission shall establish and administer the
College Credit for Heroes demonstration program to identify,
develop, and support methods to maximize academic credit awarded by
institutions of higher education to veterans and military
servicemembers for military experience, education, and training
obtained during military service in order to expedite the entry of
veterans and military servicemembers into the workforce.
(c) The commission shall work cooperatively with other
state agencies, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, public junior colleges, and other institutions of higher
education, to accomplish the purposes of this section.
(d) The commission may award grants to state, local, or
private entities that perform activities related to the purposes of
this section.
(e) The commission shall administer the program using money
previously appropriated to the commission or received from federal
or other sources.
(f) The commission may adopt rules as necessary for the
administration of this section.
(g) Not later than November 1, 2012, the commission, after
consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
shall report to the legislature and the governor on:
(1) the results of any grants awarded under this
section;
(2) the best practices for veterans and military
servicemembers to achieve maximum academic credit at institutions
of higher education for military experience, education, and
training obtained during military service;
(3) measures needed to facilitate the award of
academic credit by institutions of higher education for military
experience, education, and training obtained during military
service; and
(4) other related measures needed to facilitate the
entry of trained, qualified veterans and military servicemembers
into the workforce.
(h) This subsection and Subsection (g) expire January 1,
2013.
SECTION 2. 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, 2011.
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