S.B. No. 1189
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a multidisciplinary studies
  associate degree program at each public junior college.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 130.0104 to read as follows:
         Sec. 130.0104.  MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES ASSOCIATE DEGREE
  PROGRAM. (a)  The governing board of each public junior college
  district shall establish a multidisciplinary studies associate
  degree program at each junior college in the district.
         (b)  A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program
  established at a junior college under this section must require a
  student to successfully complete:
               (1)  the junior college's core curriculum adopted under
  Section 61.822(b); and
               (2)  after completion of the core curriculum under
  Subdivision (1), the courses selected by the student in the
  student's degree plan completed under Subsection (c).
         (c)  Notwithstanding Section 51.9685, before the beginning
  of the regular semester or term immediately following the semester
  or term in which a student successfully completes a cumulative
  total of 30 or more semester credit hours for coursework in a
  multidisciplinary studies associate degree program established
  under this section, the student must meet with an academic advisor
  to complete a degree plan, as defined by Section 51.9685(a)(1),
  that:
               (1)  accounts for all remaining credit hours required
  for the completion of the degree program; and
               (2)  emphasizes:
                     (A)  the student's transition to a particular
  four-year college or university that the student chooses; and
                     (B)  preparations for the student's intended
  field of study or major at the four-year college or university.
         (d)  The coordinating board shall adopt rules as necessary
  for the administration of this section, including rules ensuring
  that:
               (1)  a multidisciplinary studies associate degree
  program is established at each public junior college; and
               (2)  the common application form adopted under Section
  51.762 contains a description of multidisciplinary studies
  associate degree programs established under this section.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating
  Board shall adopt the rules required by Section 130.0104, Education
  Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the
  effective date of this Act.  For that purpose, the coordinating
  board may adopt the initial rules in the manner provided by law for
  emergency rules.
         (b)  The governing board of each public junior college
  district shall offer a multidisciplinary studies associate degree
  program at each junior college in the district as required by
  Section 130.0104, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning
  with the 2016 fall semester.
         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, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1189 passed the Senate on
  April 16, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 28, 2015, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1189 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 22, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 130,
  Nays 8, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor