By: Garcia H.B. No. 4490
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to educational benefits for eligible persons attending a
comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students
with intellectual disabilities
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section Sec. 54.001, Education Code, is amended
by adding subsection (3)to read as follows:
Sec. 54.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Institution of higher education" has the same
meaning as is assigned to it by Section 61.003 of this code.
(2) "Governing board" has the same meaning as is
assigned to it by Section 61.003 of this code.
(3) "COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND POSTSECONDARY
PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES" has the same
meaning as in 20 U.S.C. ยง 1140.
SECTION 2. Sec. 54.341(1), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 54.341. VETERANS AND OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL;
DEPENDENTS; and STUDENTS WHO IS ADMITTED TO ATTEND AND ATTENDS A
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION AND POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS
WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.
(l) To be eligible to receive an exemption under Subsection
(k), the child must:
(1) be a student who is classified as a resident under
Subchapter B when the child enrolls in an institution of higher
education;
(2) as a graduate or undergraduate student, maintain a
grade point average that satisfies the grade point average
requirement for making satisfactory academic progress in a degree,
certificate, or continuing education program as determined by the
institution at which the child is enrolled in accordance with the
institution's policy regarding eligibility for financial aid; or
any student who is admitted to attend and attends a comprehensive
transition and postsecondary program for students with
intellectual disabilities;
(3) be 25 years of age or younger on the first day of
the semester or other academic term for which the exemption is
claimed.
SECTION 3. 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, 2023.