TITLE: Relating to eliminating certain restrictions on eligibility for certain state student financial assistance programs.

SUMMARY: Relating to eliminating certain restrictions on eligibility for certain state student financial assistance programs.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to eliminating certain restrictions on eligibility for certain state student financial assistance programs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 54.633(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A scholarship awarded under this section terminates if the student to whom the scholarship is awarded is [: [(1) convicted of, or adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct constituting, an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code; or [(2)] convicted of, or adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct constituting, a felony or Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Section 56.304(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A person is not eligible to receive a TEXAS grant if the person has been convicted of a felony [or an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code],unless the person has met the other applicable eligibility requirements under this subchapter and has: (1) received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility or completed a period of probation ordered by a court, and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion; or (2) been pardoned, had the record of the offense expunged from the person's record, or otherwise has been released from the resulting ineligibility to receive a grant under this subchapter. SECTION 3. Section 56.305(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A person is not eligible to continue to receive a TEXAS grant under this section if the person has been convicted of a felony [or an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code],unless the person has met the other applicable eligibility requirements under this subchapter and has: (1) received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility or completed a period of probation ordered by a court, and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion; or (2) been pardoned, had the record of the offense expunged from the person's record, or otherwise has been released from the resulting ineligibility to receive a grant under this subchapter. SECTION 4. Section 56.357(c), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) A person is not eligible to receive a grant under the program if the person has been convicted of a felony [or an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code],unless the person has met the other applicable eligibility requirements under this section and has: (1) received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility or completed a period of probation ordered by a court, and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion; or (2) been pardoned, had the record of the offense expunged from the person's record, or otherwise has been released from the resulting ineligibility to receive a grant under the program. SECTION 5. Section 56.404(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A person is not eligible to receive a grant under this subchapter if the person has been convicted of a felony [or an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code],unless the person has met the other applicable eligibility requirements under this subchapter and has: (1) received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility or completed a period of probation ordered by a court and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion; or (2) been pardoned, had the record of the offense expunged from the person's record, or otherwise been released from the resulting ineligibility to receive a grant under this subchapter. SECTION 6. Section 56.405(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A person is not eligible to continue to receive a grant under this section if the person has been convicted of a felony [or an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code],unless the person has met the other applicable eligibility requirements under this subchapter and has: (1) received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility or completed a period of probation ordered by a court and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion; or (2) been pardoned, had the record of the offense expunged from the person's record, or otherwise been released from the resulting ineligibility to receive a grant under this subchapter. SECTION 7. 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.