HB5063 - 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.

  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.