86R3015 SOS-F
By: Howard H.B. No. 1702
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to services provided for students at public institutions
of higher education who were formerly in foster care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.9356, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 51.9356. DESIGNATION OF LIAISON OFFICER TO ASSIST
STUDENTS FORMERLY IN FOSTER CARE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Department" means the Department of Family and
Protective Services.
(2) "Institution [, "institution] of higher
education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Each institution of higher education shall designate at
least one employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer
for current and incoming students at the institution who were
formerly in the conservatorship of the department [Department of
Family and Protective Services].
(c) The liaison officer shall:
(1) obtain at least annually the names of and
information regarding current and incoming students at the
institution of higher education who were formerly in the
conservatorship of the department; and
(2) provide to those students information regarding
support services and other resources available to the students at
the institution and any other relevant information to assist the
students.
(d) The liaison officer may participate in any training that
enables the officer to carry out the officer's duties and
coordinate with liaison officers at other educational
institutions.
(e) Each institution of higher education shall publicize,
including through the institution's Internet website, social
media, electronic mail, or other means of communication used by the
institution:
(1) the name of and contact information for the
institution's liaison officer; and
(2) information regarding support services and other
resources available at the institution to students who were
formerly in the conservatorship of the department.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2020, each institution
of higher education shall publicize the information required by
Section 51.9356(e), Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2019.