By: Louderback H.B. No. 2185 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a tuition exemption for the children of certain law enforcement officers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.3511 to read as follows: Sec. 54.3511. CHILDREN OF CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. (a) In this section: (1) "Eligible law enforcement officer" means a peace officer defined by Article Art. 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, who has at least 15 years of continuous service as a peace officer in a public retirement system. (2) "Public retirement system" has the meaning assigned by Section 801.001, Government Code. (3) "Child" is a person whose parent is an eligible law enforcement officer, including a stepchild or adopted child. (b) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall exempt from the payment of all tuition, fees, and charges any child whose parent is an eligible law enforcement officer. The exemption does not apply to general deposits or to fees or charges for lodging, board, or clothing. (c) A child is not entitled to the exemption if the child: (1) does not apply initially for the exemption before the date the child: (A) becomes 21 years of age, if the person is not covered by Paragraph (B); or (B) becomes 22 years of age, if the person is eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under Section 29.003; (2) does not meet all entrance requirements of the institution; or (3) does not maintain a scholastic average sufficient to remain in good standing. (d) Subject to Subsection (e), a child may receive an exemption only for the first 120 undergraduate semester credit hours for which the person registers. (e) A child is not entitled to an exemption for any term or semester the child begins after the date the child becomes 26 years of age. (f) A child entitled to an exemption under the provisions of this section shall, when transferring from a public junior college to a public senior college or university, meet the standard entrance requirements required by the senior college or university of an applicant for admission not covered by the provisions of this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.