Bill Text: TX SB937 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Relating to an excused absence from a public institution of higher education for a student called to required military service.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-04 - Effective immediately [SB937 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB937-Introduced.html

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87R9781 CXP-D
By: Campbell S.B. No. 937

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an excused absence from a public institution of higher
education for a student called to required military service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 51.9111, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9111. EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR REQUIRED [ACTIVE]
MILITARY SERVICE.
SECTION 2. Section 51.9111(a)(2), Education Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(2) "Required [Active] military service" includes
required [active] military service performed by a member of the
Texas National Guard or the Texas State Guard.
SECTION 3. Sections 51.9111(b) and (c), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(b) This section applies only if:
(1) a student enrolled in an institution of higher
education fails to attend classes or engage in other required
activities because the student is called to required [active]
military service that is of a reasonably brief duration, as
determined by rule adopted under Subsection (d); and
(2) the student chooses not to withdraw as authorized
by Section 54.006(f).
(c) An institution of higher education shall excuse a
student from attending classes or engaging in other required
activities, including examinations, in order for the student to
participate in required [active] military service to which the
student is called, including travel associated with the service. A
student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be
penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to complete an
assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused
within a reasonable time after the absence. An instructor may
appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily
complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time
after the absence.
SECTION 4. (a) Section 51.9111, Education Code, as amended
by this Act, applies beginning with the 2021 fall semester.
(b) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt or
amend rules as necessary to implement Section 51.9111, Education
Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 5. 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. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.