Bill Text: TX SB597 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the designation of liaison officers to assist certain students at public institutions of higher education who are parents.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-04-26 - Co-author authorized [SB597 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB597-Introduced.html
  88R6011 CXP-F
 
  By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 597
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the designation of liaison officers to assist certain
  students at public institutions of higher education who are
  parents.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.9357 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.9357.  DESIGNATION OF LIAISON OFFICER TO ASSIST
  CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO ARE PARENTS; REPORT. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board.
               (2)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  Each institution of higher education shall designate at
  least one employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer
  for current or incoming students at the institution who are the
  parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age.  The
  liaison officer shall provide to the students information regarding
  support services and other resources available to the students at
  the institution, including:
               (1)  resources to access:
                     (A)  medical and behavioral health coverage and
  services; and
                     (B)  public benefit programs, including programs
  related to food security, affordable housing, and housing
  subsidies;
               (2)  parenting and child care resources;
               (3)  employment assistance;
               (4)  transportation assistance;
               (5)  student academic success strategies; and
               (6)  any other resources developed by the institution
  to assist the students.
         (c)  Not later than May 1 of each academic year, an
  institution of higher education shall submit to the coordinating
  board a report that contains the following information regarding
  students enrolled at the institution for the current academic year
  who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of
  age:
               (1)  the number of those students;
               (2)  demographic data, including age, race, sex,
  ethnicity, and national origin;
               (3)  academic data, including full-time or part-time
  enrollment status and graduation, transfer, and withdrawal rates;
  and
               (4)  other data as prescribed by coordinating board
  rule.
         (d)  The coordinating board shall adopt rules to administer
  this section, including rules to ensure compliance with federal law
  regarding confidentiality of student medical or educational
  information, including the Health Insurance Portability and
  Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.), the
  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1232g), and any state law relating to the privacy of student
  information.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.09081 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.09081.  DESIGNATION OF LIAISON OFFICER TO ASSIST
  CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO ARE PARENTS. The board shall designate at
  least one employee of the board to act as a liaison officer for
  current or incoming students at institutions of higher education
  who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of
  age.  The liaison officer shall assist in coordinating college
  readiness and student success efforts relating to those students.
         SECTION 3.  (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
  date of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  shall adopt rules to implement Sections 51.9357 and 61.09081,
  Education Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 academic
  year.
         SECTION 4.  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.
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