S.B. No. 1324
AN ACT
relating to the filing of a degree plan by students at public
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.9685, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-2) and amending Subsection (g) to read as
follows:
(c-2) A student enrolled in a course for joint high school
and junior college credit under Section 130.008 at a public junior
college and to whom Subsection (b) or (c-1) does not apply shall
file a degree plan with the college not later than:
(1) the end of the second regular semester or term
immediately following the semester or term in which the student
earned a cumulative total of 15 or more semester credit hours of
course credit for dual credit courses successfully completed by the
student; or
(2) if the student begins the student's first semester
or term at the college with 15 or more semester credit hours of
course credit for dual credit courses successfully completed by the
student, the end of the student's second regular semester or term at
the college.
(g) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in
consultation with institutions of higher education, shall [may]
adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section,
including rules requiring institutions of higher education to
report to the board information regarding the filing of degree
plans as required by this section.
SECTION 2. Section 130.0104(c), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c) In complying with the requirements regarding the filing
of a degree plan under [Notwithstanding] Section 51.9685, [before
the beginning of the regular semester or term immediately following
the semester or term in which] a student enrolled [successfully
completes a cumulative total of 30 or more semester credit hours for
coursework] in a multidisciplinary studies associate degree
program established under this section[, the student] must meet
with an academic advisor to complete a degree plan[, as defined by
Section 51.9685(a)(1),] that:
(1) accounts for all remaining credit hours required
for the completion of the degree program; and
(2) emphasizes:
(A) the student's transition to a particular
four-year college or university that the student chooses; and
(B) preparations for the student's intended
field of study or major at the four-year college or university.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
academic year.
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. 1324 passed the Senate on
April 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1324 passed the House on
May 17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 4, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor