S.B. No. 1017
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the advisory council on postsecondary
education for persons with intellectual and developmental
disabilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.0663(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The board shall:
(1) post the inventory on the board's Internet website
in an easily identifiable and accessible location;
(2) submit the inventory to the Texas Education Agency
for inclusion in the transition and employment guide under Section
29.0112; and
(3) update the inventory at least annually [once every
two years].
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.06641 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.06641. ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR PERSONS WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) The board, with the assistance of the advisory council
established under this section, shall:
(1) periodically review the policies and practices
that increase access to higher education opportunities for persons
with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
(2) distribute educational outreach materials
developed by the advisory council to increase awareness regarding
postsecondary opportunities for persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
(b) The board shall establish an advisory council on
postsecondary education for persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, in accordance with Section 61.026, to
advise the board on policies and practices to improve postsecondary
education opportunities for persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
(c) The advisory council is composed of the following
members appointed as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the executive director of
the Texas Workforce Commission;
(2) one member appointed by the commissioner of the
Texas Education Agency;
(3) a representative of the continuing advisory
committee established under Section 29.006 appointed by the
governor; and
(4) the following members appointed by the board:
(A) a representative of a University Centers for
Excellence in Developmental Disabilities program in this state;
(B) a representative of a disability advocacy
group;
(C) a parent or guardian of a person with an
intellectual or developmental disability;
(D) a parent or guardian of a person with an
intellectual or developmental disability who is currently enrolled
in an institution of higher education;
(E) a person with an intellectual or
developmental disability enrolled in an institution of higher
education;
(F) a person with an intellectual or
developmental disability who has completed a program at an
institution of higher education;
(G) a high school counselor;
(H) a specialist in the transition to employment
from a regional education service center, school district, or other
state agency; and
(I) additional representatives with relevant
experience, as needed.
(d) Members of the advisory council serve two-year terms.
(e) A member of the advisory council is not entitled to
compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred by the member while conducting the
business of the advisory council.
(f) The members of the advisory council shall elect a
presiding officer from among the membership.
(g) The advisory council shall:
(1) study the accessibility of higher education for
persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
(2) provide advice regarding resolving barriers to
accessing higher education for persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities; and
(3) identify, evaluate, and develop recommendations
to address barriers to accessing higher education for persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities who are or have been in
the foster care system and any data collection issues in relation to
those persons.
(h) The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly at
the call of the presiding officer.
(i) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
other law, the advisory council may meet by telephone conference
call, videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method.
A meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
other similar telecommunication method is subject to the
requirements of Sections 551.125(c)-(f), Government Code.
(j) The advisory council shall submit a report to the board
annually, at a time determined by the board. The report must
include information regarding:
(1) the advisory council's activities;
(2) any relevant rule changes necessary to decrease
barriers to accessing higher education for persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
(3) recommendations for potential outreach and
education materials to increase public awareness of the
availability of higher education opportunities and resources for
persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
including information regarding available grants, loan programs,
and other resources that may require statewide outreach efforts.
(k) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
the advisory council shall provide a report to the board and to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, the members of the legislature, and, as necessary,
other state agencies or relevant stakeholders. The report must
include:
(1) historic and current higher education data and
related information regarding persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, including:
(A) graduation rates;
(B) the geographic distribution of institutions
of higher education providing appropriate opportunities;
(C) a description of available programs; and
(D) any other relevant data; and
(2) recommendations for changes to support success and
achievement for persons with intellectual and developmental
disabilities in accessing higher education, including
recommendations for:
(A) addressing gaps in data; and
(B) identifying problems with and barriers to
accessing higher education.
(l) The board shall provide administrative support for the
advisory council.
SECTION 3. (a) Not later than January 1, 2020, the
appropriate appointing authorities shall appoint the members to the
advisory council on postsecondary education for persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities as required by Section
61.06641, Education Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2020, the advisory council on
postsecondary education for persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities shall complete the initial reports
required under Sections 61.06641(j) and (k), Education Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 4. 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1017 passed the Senate on
April 10, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 25, 2019, by the
following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1017 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 144,
Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor