TITLE: Relating to the establishment of a grant program to assist certain current and former peace officers in receiving a teacher certification.

SUMMARY: Relating to the establishment of a grant program to assist certain current and former peace officers in receiving a teacher certification.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the establishment of a grant program to assist certain current and former peace officers in receiving a teacher certification. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.066 to read as follows: Sec. 21.066. TEACHER CERTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM FOR PEACE OFFICERS. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the board shall establish a grant program to enable eligible persons to receive a teacher certification under this subchapter. (b) To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, a person must: (1) be: (A) a peace officer, as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (B) a retired peace officer, as defined by Section 1701.3161, Occupations Code; and (2) hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education that is, and at the time the person received the degree was, accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (c) A grant awarded under this section may be used only to pay: (1) the costs of an educator preparation program or alternative educator certification program; or (2) a fee assessed for the administration of an examination prescribed under Section 21.048 for teacher certification. (d) The board shall propose rules necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.