82R27295 KYF-F
By: Van de Putte, et al. S.B. No. 1736
(Castro, Sheets, Vo, Anderson of Dallas,
J. Davis of Harris)
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 or workforce
education 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 or workforce education
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 or workforce education 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.