87R9344 MLH-D     By: Guerra H.B. No. 3575       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to personal financial literacy and career skills courses   for high school students in public schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 8.051(d), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (d)  Each regional education service center shall maintain   core services for purchase by school districts and campuses. The   core services are:                (1)  training and assistance in:                      (A)  teaching each subject area assessed under   Section 39.023; and                      (B)  providing instruction in personal financial   literacy and career skills as required under Section 28.0021;                (2)  training and assistance in providing a gifted and   talented program and each program that qualifies for a funding   allotment under Section 48.102, 48.104, or 48.105;                (3)  assistance specifically designed for a school   district or campus assigned an unacceptable performance rating   under Section 39.054;                (4)  training and assistance to teachers,   administrators, members of district boards of trustees, and members   of site-based decision-making committees;                (5)  assistance specifically designed for a school   district that is considered out of compliance with state or federal   special education requirements, based on the agency's most recent   compliance review of the district's special education programs; and                (6)  assistance in complying with state laws and rules.          SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 28.0021, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 28.0021.  PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CAREER   SKILLS.          SECTION 3.  Section 28.0021, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as   follows:          (b)  Each school district and each open-enrollment charter   school that offers a high school program shall provide a [an   elective] course in personal financial literacy and career skills    that meets the requirements for [a one-half elective] credit under   Section 28.025, using materials approved by the State Board of   Education.  The course may be offered as a distinct course in   personal financial literacy and career skills or as an elective   course or existing course that includes instruction in personal   financial literacy and career skills sufficient to meet the   requirements for one-half credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(9).  The   instruction in personal financial literacy and career skills must   include instruction on:                (1)  completing the application for federal student aid   provided by the United States Department of Education;                (2)  the financial consequences of failing to make   timely student loan payments;                (3)  the effect of student loan debt on a person's   finances;                (4)  the circumstances in which student loans are   dischargeable in bankruptcy;                (5)  completing and filing an income tax return;                (6)  managing a credit score;                (7)  managing and paying down a mortgage;                (8)  creating a resume; and                (9)  preparing for a job interview.          (c)  In fulfilling the requirement to provide financial   literacy and career skills instruction under this section, a school   district or open-enrollment charter school may use an existing   state, federal, private, or nonprofit program that provides   students without charge the instruction described under this   section.          SECTION 4.  Section 28.0024(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may   establish a school-based savings program to facilitate increased   awareness of the importance of saving for higher education and   facilitate personal financial literacy and career skills    instruction.  A district or school may offer the program in   conjunction with a personal financial literacy and career skills   course under Section 28.0021.          SECTION 5.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require   that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school   program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students   successfully complete:                (1)  four credits in English language arts under   Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one   credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in   an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);                (2)  three credits in mathematics under Section   28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in   geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course   authorized under Subsection (b-2);                (3)  three credits in science under Section   28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any   advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one   credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional   advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);                (4)  three credits in social studies under Section   28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at   least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in    economics, and one credit in world geography or world history;                (5)  except as provided under Subsections (b-12),   (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language   other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);                (6)  four and one-half [five] elective credits;                (7)  one credit in fine arts under Section   28.002(a)(2)(D); [and]                (8)  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one   credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C); and                (9)  at least one-half credit in personal financial   literacy and career skills under Section 28.0021.          SECTION 6.  Section 29.917(a), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  From funds appropriated for the purpose, the   commissioner may award grants to organizations that provide   volunteers to teach classroom or after-school programs to enhance:                (1)  college readiness;                (2)  workforce readiness;                (3)  dropout prevention; or                (4)  personal financial literacy and career skills.          SECTION 7.  Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended   by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade   during the 2021-2022 school year or a later school year. For   students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2021-2022   school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that section   existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that section is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2021.