By: Raney, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Menéndez) H.B. No. 846
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 18, 2017;
  April 19, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Veteran Affairs & Border Security; May 17, 2017, reported
  adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 17, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 846 By:  Lucio
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the implementation of student financial assistance
  programs for veterans and their families.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 56.0065 to read as follows:
         Sec. 56.0065.  STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR
  VETERANS AND FAMILIES; EQUAL PROTECTION.  (a)  In this section,
  "private or independent institution of higher education" has the
  meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  An institution of higher education or a private or
  independent institution of higher education may not impose
  additional fees, obligations, or burdens concerning payment or
  registration on a student eligible for state or federal military
  related student financial assistance programs for military
  veterans or their family members that are not otherwise required by
  those programs to be imposed for the purpose of receiving that
  assistance.
         (c)  An institution of higher education or a private or
  independent institution of higher education must provide for a
  student described by Subsection (b) to defer payment of tuition and
  fees if the receipt of military related financial assistance
  awarded to the student is delayed by less than 60 days. The Texas
  Veterans Commission, in cooperation with institutions of higher
  education and private or independent institutions of higher
  education, shall prescribe a standard deferment request form for
  the purposes of this subsection.
         (d)  This section does not prohibit an institution of higher
  education or a private or independent institution of higher
  education from requiring a student described by Subsection (b) to
  submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply
  beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
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