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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to exemptions for disabled peace officers from payment of |
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tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 54.352, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 54.352. DISABLED PEACE OFFICERS[; OPTIONAL
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EXEMPTION]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 54.352(a), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The governing board of an institution of higher |
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education shall [may] exempt a student from the payment of tuition |
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and [required] fees [authorized by this chapter] for a course for |
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which space is available if the student: |
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(1) is a resident of this state and has resided in this |
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state for the 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of the |
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semester or session for which an exemption is sought; |
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(2) is permanently disabled as a result of an injury |
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suffered during the performance of a duty as a peace officer of this |
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state or a political subdivision of this state; and |
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(3) is unable to continue employment as a peace |
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officer because of the disability. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply to an |
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exemption from tuition and fees beginning with the 2013 fall |
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semester. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |