89R12754 JTZ-D
By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 5063
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to tuition and fee exemptions for former foster children
with intellectual disabilities to attend comprehensive transition
and postsecondary programs at a public institution of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.2002, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 54.2002. EXEMPTIONS AND WAIVERS FOR STATE-FUNDED
COURSES ONLY. (a) Notwithstanding any other law and subject to
Subsection (b), a mandatory or discretionary exemption or waiver
from the payment of tuition or other fees under this subchapter or
another provision of this code applies only to courses for which an
institution of higher education receives formula funding.
(b) This section does not apply to an exemption for certain
students from the payment of tuition and fees for a comprehensive
transition and postsecondary program under Section 54.366(a-1) or
54.367(a-1).
SECTION 2. Section 54.366, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) A student described by Subsection (a) who is a student
with an intellectual disability, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section
1140, is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized by
this chapter for a comprehensive transition and postsecondary
program, as defined by that section.
SECTION 3. Section 54.367, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) A student described by Subsection (a) who has an
intellectual disability, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section 1140, is
exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized by this
chapter for a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program,
as defined by that section.
SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply
beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.
SECTION 5. 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, 2025.