88R3726 CXP-D
By: Middleton S.B. No. 689
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a public safety dual credit grant
program by the Texas Education Agency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.9081 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.9081. PUBLIC SAFETY DUAL CREDIT GRANT PROGRAM. (a)
From funds appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the
agency shall establish and administer a program to provide grants
to eligible students who enroll while in high school in a dual
credit public safety degree or certificate program at a public
institution of higher education.
(b) The commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility
criteria to receive a grant under this section. The criteria must:
(1) require a student to enter into an agreement with
the agency to:
(A) complete the student's public safety degree
or certificate program within a period prescribed by commissioner
rule; and
(B) on completion of the student's degree or
certificate program and any other prerequisites for employment as a
peace officer or other public safety officer in this state,
complete a number of years of employment as a peace officer or other
public safety officer in this state, as prescribed by commissioner
rule; and
(2) provide that a student who establishes initial
eligibility for a grant under this section remains eligible for a
grant under this section for the duration of the student's
enrollment in a public safety degree or certificate program at a
public institution of higher education as long as the student
continues to:
(A) make satisfactory academic progress toward
the degree or certificate; and
(B) meet other requirements prescribed by
commissioner rule.
(c) The amount of a grant awarded to a student under this
section is equal to the cost of tuition and required fees incurred
by the student for enrollment in a public safety degree or
certificate program at a public institution of higher education.
(d) A student receiving a grant under this section may use
the money only to pay the cost of tuition and required fees incurred
by the student for enrollment in a public safety degree or
certificate program at a public institution of higher education.
(e) The agency may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any public or private source for the purpose of this
section.
(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish and
administer the grant program under this section.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall establish the public
safety dual credit grant program under Section 29.9081, Education
Code, as added by this Act.
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.