87R3804 TYPED     By: Guillen H.B. No. 1205       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a student loan repayment assistance program for certain   professionals for exceptional service to the State of Texas during   the coronavirus pandemic.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Thanking Our   Frontline Heroes Student Loan Relief Act.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter NO to read as follows:          SUBCHAPTER NO: FRONTLINE WORKERS LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE   PROGRAM          Sec. 61.9961.  DEFINITION. (a) In this subchapter,   "frontline worker" means any person providing health, education,   public safety, or other necessary support services related to the   coronavirus pandemic, as determined by the board.          (b)  The board, in consultation with relevant state   agencies, shall develop a list of occupations that can qualify as a   frontline worker, which shall include:                (1)  employees of public schools, open enrollment   charter schools, and private schools;                (2)  employees of public and private institutions of   higher education;                (3)  peace officers;                (4)  fire fighters;                (5)  emergency medical technicians;                (6)  medical professionals, including doctors,   physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, mental health   professionals, and hospital support personnel;                (7)  employees of nursing homes, state supported living   centers, or similar long-term care facilities;                (8)  employees of child care facilities;                (9)  social workers; and                (10)  members of the Texas military forces, United   State armed forces, or a reserve component of the armed forces who   participated in coronavirus-related service.          Sec. 61.9962.  LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED;   PURPOSE. The board shall establish and administer a program to   provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board rules, loan   repayment assistance in the repayment of eligible loans for   eligible frontline workers who provided necessary services during   the coronavirus pandemic.          Sec. 61.9963.  ELIGIBILITY. (a) To be eligible to receive   loan repayment assistance under this subchapter, a person must:                (1)  be a Texas resident at the time of application;                (2)  for a substantial portion, as determined by board   rules, of the period between March 15, 2020 and December 31, 2020,   have been employed as a frontline worker; and                (3)  submit to the board an application for the loan   repayment assistance, in the manner and on a form prescribed by the   board, that requires:                      (A)  employer verification or other   documentation, as established by board rule, of the person's   employment as a frontline worker in the specified period of time;   and                      (B)  a statement of the total amount of principal,   accrued interest, fees, and other charges due on all outstanding   eligible loans for which the person is applying for repayment   assistance;                (4)  have earned a degree or certification from a   public or private institution of higher education or earned at   least 30 semester credit hours before the person's initial   employment as a frontline worker; and                (5)  comply with any other requirement adopted by the   board under this subchapter.          (b)  The board shall establish by rule a time period during   which applications may be submitted of no less than 90 calendar   days.          Sec. 61.9964.  AWARD. (a) Except as provided by this   section, an eligible person is entitled to receive an amount of loan   repayment assistance under this chapter payable to the holders of   the eligible person's eligible loans in an amount equal to the   lesser of $5,000 or the balance of the total amount stated in the   person's application under Sec. 61.9963, subject to the amount of   available funding.          (b)  An eligible person may receive only one award under this   subchapter.          (c)  If the amount of money available for loan repayment   assistance under this subchapter is insufficient to provide loan   repayment assistance to all eligible persons, the board shall   establish criteria to determine the amount of available money to   allocate to the holders of student loans of eligible persons as the   board determines appropriate to further the purpose of this   subchapter.          (d)  An eligible person whose loan repayment assistance   under this section is less than the amount necessary to cover the   amount of principal and interest due on the person's eligible loans   for the period in which the award is disbursed is responsible for   the payment of the remainder of the amount due and for otherwise   preventing a default on the loan.          Sec. 61.6695.  ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a) The board may provide   loan repayment assistance under this subchapter for the repayment   of any student loan received by an eligible person through any   lender for the cost of attendance at an institution of higher   education or a private or independent institution of higher   education.          (b)  If the loan is not a state or federal guaranteed student   loan, the promissory note or other loan agreement document   governing the terms of the loan must require all the loan proceeds   to be used for expenses incurred by a person in attending an   institution of higher education or a private or independent   institution of higher education.                Sec. 61.9966.  PAYMENT OF LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE.   (a) The board shall pay any loan repayment assistance under this   subchapter in a lump sum delivered on the eligible person's behalf   directly to the holder of the loan.          (b)  Loan repayment assistance provided under this   subchapter may be applied to any amount due on the loan.          (c)  The board shall attempt to allocate all money available   to the board for the purpose of providing loan repayment assistance   under this subchapter.          Sec. 61.9967.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The board may   solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations from any   public or private source for the purposes of this subchapter.          Sec. 61.9968.  RULES; POSTING REQUIRED. (a) The board shall   adopt rules necessary for the administration of this subchapter.          (b)  The board shall post on the board's Internet website a   copy of the rules adopted under this subchapter and information   regarding the program established under this subchapter.          (c)  The board may advertise in any available media or   otherwise promote the loan repayment assistance program to further   the purposes of this chapter.          Sec. 61.9969.  EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires December   31, 2022.          SECTION 3.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board   shall adopt rules for the frontline workers loan repayment   assistance program under Subchapter NO, Chapter 61, Education Code,   as added by this Act, not later than December 1, 2021.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.