H.B. No. 5063 proposes amendments to the Education Code to provide tuition and fee exemptions for former foster children with intellectual disabilities attending comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs at public institutions of higher education. The bill introduces new legal language that clarifies that exemptions or waivers from tuition and fees apply only to state-funded courses, with specific exceptions for students enrolled in comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs as outlined in Sections 54.366(a-1) and 54.367(a-1).

Additionally, the bill establishes that students with intellectual disabilities, as defined by federal law, are exempt from tuition and fees for these comprehensive programs. The changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, and 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 54.2002, Education Code 54.366, Education Code 54.367 (Education Code 54)