88R13784 JRJ-D By: Wilson H.B. No. 3790 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the provision of scholarships by private or independent institutions of higher education under the Joint Admission Medical Program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 51.831, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 51.831. COUNCIL AGREEMENT WITH PRIVATE OR INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) Each private or independent institution of higher education must enter into an agreement with the council under which the institution agrees to: (1) provide academic counseling to a participating student or program alternate enrolled at the institution; (2) as soon as practicable, implement or expand appropriate degree programs as necessary to provide participating students with sufficient preparation for enrollment in participating medical schools; (3) select a faculty director or an academic or health professions advisor to assist in implementing the program at the institution and in implementing or expanding the institution's degree programs as necessary under Subdivision (2); and (4) provide a scholarship to a participating student in the amount required for a participating student attending a general academic teaching institution, but not to exceed the amount of tuition and fees that the student is charged. (b) In addition to any penalties specified in the agreement, a private or independent institution of higher education that has entered an agreement under this section and does not provide the scholarship required under Subsection (a)(4) to a participating student may not receive state funding for tuition equalization grants awarded under Subchapter F, Chapter 61, or for any other student financial aid beginning with the academic year following a default under this subsection, subject to Subsection (d). (c) An institution is considered to be in default under Subsection (b) if the affected student's enrollment in the program ends before the institution awards and pays to the student the full amount of scholarship for each year of the student's participation in the program. (d) A private or independent institution of higher education in default under this section may receive state funding for tuition equalization grants and other student financial aid only for an academic year following an academic year in which: (1) one or more participating students are enrolled at the institution; and (2) with respect to the students described by Subdivision (1), the institution has fully complied with the terms of an agreement entered into under this section. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to the provision of scholarships pursuant to an agreement under Section 51.831, Education Code, as amended by this Act, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.