Texas 2019 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1539 Introduced / Bill

Filed 03/05/2019

                    86R14247 JRJ-D
 By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1539


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the establishment of a pilot program for certain
 students who are veterans.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
 amended by adding Section 130.095 to read as follows:
 Sec. 130.095.  VETERAN INTEREST GROUPS PILOT PROGRAM. (a)
 The Alamo Community College District shall implement a pilot
 program to establish veteran interest groups for students enrolled
 in the district who are veterans.
 (b)  The district shall ensure that students assigned to a
 group established under the pilot program enroll in at least three
 of the same classes as the other students assigned to the group.
 (c)  Students assigned to a group established under the pilot
 program shall attend a weekly seminar led by a peer mentor and a
 staff facilitator in which the students:
 (1)  learn content related to the needs of students who
 are veterans;
 (2)  discuss study and time management strategies and
 other issues;
 (3)  engage in campus life and other involvement
 opportunities; and
 (4)  participate in social opportunities.
 (d)  Not later than January 1, 2021, the district shall
 prepare a report on the effectiveness of the pilot program in
 promoting the success of students who are veterans and submit the
 report to the standing committees of each house of the legislature
 with primary jurisdiction over higher education matters and matters
 concerning veterans affairs.
 (e)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
 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, 2019.