House Bill No. 277 aims to enhance awareness and accessibility of tuition and fee exemptions for students in foster care or other residential care at public institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill amends Sections 54.366 and 54.367 of the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop outreach programs specifically targeting students in grades 9 through 12. These programs will provide informational materials about the exemptions to residential child-care facilities, foster parents, and schools. The language in the bill updates the grade references from "9-12" to "9 through 12" and specifies the recipients of the outreach materials.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 54.3671, which mandates the creation of a streamlined eligibility determination and application process for these tuition exemptions. This process aims to reduce the administrative burden on both the Department of Family and Protective Services and the students by minimizing data collection and allowing for electronic applications. It also includes provisions for automatic submission of eligibility documentation to higher education institutions for students deemed eligible. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 54.366, Education Code 54.367 (Education Code 54)