88R4096 CXP-F
By: LaMantia S.B. No. 708
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain credentials of value offered by general
academic teaching institutions as part of a baccalaureate degree
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.05123 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.05123. COURSE CREDIT TOWARD BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
PROGRAM FOR COMPLETION OF CERTAIN WORK-BASED CREDENTIALS OF VALUE.
(a) Subject to board approval, a general academic teaching
institution may enter into an agreement with a public or private
entity to offer as part of a baccalaureate degree program at the
institution a work-based learning credential of value in a high
demand, high growth industry leading to quality career
opportunities that a student may elect to complete in satisfaction
of certain required coursework under this degree program.
(b) Section 61.0512(g) does not apply to a credential of
value offered by a general academic teaching institution under this
section.
(c) The board in consultation with the Texas Workforce
Commission shall adopt rules for the administration of this
section, including rules for determining:
(1) whether a work-based credential of value qualifies
to be offered as a part of a baccalaureate degree program under this
section; and
(2) the required coursework for which a credential of
value offered under this section may be substituted.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall adopt rules as required by Section 61.05123(c), Education
Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable following the
effective date of 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.