88R6572 JTZ-F
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 969
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of
higher education for certain correctional officers and jailers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.3531(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The governing board of an institution of higher
education shall exempt from the payment of tuition and laboratory
fees charged by the institution for a criminal justice or law
enforcement course or courses an undergraduate student who:
(1) is employed as a peace officer, correctional
officer, or jailer by this state or by a political subdivision of
this state;
(2) is enrolled in a criminal justice or law
enforcement-related degree program at the institution;
(3) is making satisfactory academic progress toward
the student's degree as determined by the institution; and
(4) applies for the exemption at least one week before
the last date of the institution's regular registration period for
the applicable semester or other term.
SECTION 2. Section 54.3531, Education Code, as amended by
this Act, applies beginning with tuition and fees charged for the
2023 fall semester. Tuition and fees charged for an academic
period before that semester are governed by the law in effect
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
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.