84R8992 JRJ-D
By: Clardy, Schaefer H.B. No. 3348
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board for certain public junior colleges to offer
baccalaureate degree programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 130.0012, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (k) and (l)
to read as follows:
(a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may
[shall] authorize public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate
degree programs in the fields of applied science, [and] applied
technology, and dental hygiene under this section. Offering a
baccalaureate degree program under this section does not otherwise
alter the role and mission of a public junior college.
(b) The coordinating board shall authorize baccalaureate
degree programs at:
(1) each public junior college that previously
participated in a pilot project to offer baccalaureate degree
programs; and
(2) one or more public junior colleges that offer a
degree program in the field of dental hygiene if, at the time the
degree is initially offered, the public junior college:
(A) has a main campus located in the county seat
of a county with a population greater than 200,000; and
(B) includes territory in at least six public
school districts located in two counties.
(k) The coordinating board shall adopt rules as necessary
for the administration of this section.
(l) In this section, "general academic teaching
institution" and "institution of higher education" have the
meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
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, 2015.