Paxton Foster Care Bill Orders A Study Due In 2029

The text as introduced · 468 words

90R1588 CXP-F

By: Paxton
S.B. No. 247

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board regarding best practices for assisting students

formerly in foster care who are enrolled at public institutions of

higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 61.06695 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.06695. STUDY AND REPORT ON ASSISTING STUDENTS

FORMERLY IN FOSTER CARE. (a) In this section, "student formerly in

foster care" means a student eligible for a tuition and fee

exemption under Section 54.366 or 54.367.

(b) The board shall conduct a study to determine best

practices for assisting students formerly in foster care who are

enrolled at institutions of higher education.

(c) The study must:

(1) identify and track:

(A) the number of students formerly in foster

care who graduate from secondary schools in this state;

(B) the number of students formerly in foster

care who are enrolled at institutions of higher education;

(C) the rates of use of postsecondary tuition and

fee exemptions or other financial assistance available to students

formerly in foster care who enroll at institutions of higher

education;

(D) the financial assistance available to

students formerly in foster care who enroll at institutions of

higher education; and

(E) the graduation rates of students formerly in

foster care who enroll at institutions of higher education; and

(2) identify and examine best practices and program

models used by public and private institutions of higher education

outside this state that have achieved successful outcomes in

assisting postsecondary students formerly in foster care.

(d) In conducting the study, the board:

(1) shall collaborate with the Texas Education Agency,

the Department of Family and Protective Services, and institutions

of higher education, including with liaison officers designated

under Section 51.9356, regarding programs offered by primary and

secondary schools for foster care students to determine how those

programs may be adapted for or extended to institutions of higher

education; and

(2) may not request, require, or use personally

identifiable student information.

(e) Not later than December 1, 2029, the board shall submit

to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house

of representatives, the members of the legislature, the

commissioner of education, and the Department of Family and

Protective Services a written report that includes the study's

findings and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

(f) This section expires January 1, 2030.

SECTION 2. 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, 2027.