TITLE: Relating to the establishment of a public service requirement for undergraduate students, known as Service to Texas, at public institutions of higher education.

SUMMARY: Relating to the establishment of a public service requirement for undergraduate students, known as Service to Texas, at public institutions of higher education.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the establishment of a public service requirement for undergraduate students, known as Service to Texas, at public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.310 to read as follows: Sec. 51.310. SERVICE TO TEXAS. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) To receive a baccalaureate degree or a certificate for an undergraduate program requiring at least 60 semester credit hours from an institution of higher education, a student must perform at least 20 hours of unpaid public service while enrolled in an institution of higher education in this state. The public service required under this section is known as Service to Texas. (c) Service to Texas must consist of activity for and under the supervision of a nonprofit organization, governmental entity, or other entity that benefits needy or deserving individuals or the public, as determined by the institution the student attends. (d) Each institution of higher education shall assign an existing office to coordinate and monitor a Service to Texas program to assist students to satisfy the public service requirements of this section. (e) Each institution of higher education, through its Service to Texas program, shall develop a list of approved public service organizations and entities for purposes of Subsection (c). In developing and maintaining the list, an institution of higher education shall: (1) include on the list a broad variety of organizations and entities that reflect diverse activities and viewpoints; and (2) permit a student to propose a specific organization or entity for consideration for addition to the list. (f) A student shall select one or more of the organizations or entities listed as provided by Subsection (e) to supervise and document the student's performance of the required public service. (g) This section does not apply to a student who first enrolls in an institution of higher education before September 1, 2014. SECTION 2. 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.