S.B. No. 1251 AN ACT relating to authorizing certain joint graduate degree programs between The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 73.102(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) If the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines that the role and mission of the institution should be changed to include degree-granting authority, the board of regents may: (1) prescribe courses and conduct allied health professional degree programs related to the purposes of the institution described by Subsection (a); and (2) jointly prescribe courses and jointly conduct graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels related to those purposes with: (A) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; and (B) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, with respect to graduate programs separately established at the health science center and related to the broad fields encompassed in population and public health. 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, 2021. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1251 passed the Senate on April 13, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1251 passed the House on May 14, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 112, Nays 13, one present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor