The bill amends Section 54.366(a) of the Education Code to expand eligibility for tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. The amendments remove the stipulation that certain eligibility criteria apply only if specific dates are on or after September 1, 2009. The criteria for exemption include being under conservatorship on the day before the student's 18th birthday, on or after the student's 14th birthday if eligible for adoption, on the day of high school graduation, or during an academic term in which the student is enrolled in a dual credit course.

The changes will take effect for tuition and fees charged starting with the 2025 fall semester, while any charges before that will continue to be governed by the previous law. The bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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