By: Canales, Lozano, Longoria, Guerra, H.B. No. 2937       Lucio III     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT       relating to the establishment of a pilot program under which a   licensed hospital may offer dual credit courses to public high   school students.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 28.0091 to read as follows:          Sec. 28.0091.  MEDICAL DUAL CREDIT PILOT PROGRAM. (a)  The   agency shall develop and implement a pilot program under which a   licensed hospital may offer dual credit courses to high school   students enrolled in a school district in partnership with the   district.          (b)  The agency shall select up to three licensed hospitals   to participate in the pilot program.  Each hospital selected must be   accredited by The Joint Commission and:                (1)  have been issued:                      (A)  a certificate of approval to offer a program   of instruction by the Texas Workforce Commission under Subchapter   C, Chapter 132; or                      (B)  a certificate of authority to award a degree   for a program of study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board under Subchapter G, Chapter 61; or                (2)  be accredited to offer a degree program by a   recognized accrediting agency, as that term is defined by Section   61.003.          (c)  A licensed hospital selected under Subsection (b):                (1)  may offer under the pilot program only dual credit   courses that are in the curriculum of the hospital's authorized   program of instruction or study or accredited degree program, as   applicable; and                (2)  subject to Subdivision (1) and Subsection (d),   shall determine the content of each dual credit course offered   under the pilot program.          (d)  A licensed hospital selected under Subsection (b) must   design the dual credit courses offered under the pilot program to   enable students to earn a variety of certifications, certificates,   and degrees. The available certifications, certificates, and   degrees must be selected based on:                (1)  the needs of the hospital;                (2)  the terms of the hospital's agreements with   partnering school districts to provide the dual credit courses   under the pilot program; and                (3)  the goal of preparing students for employment in   the health care field.          (e)  A student enrolled in a dual credit course offered under   the pilot program is entitled to the benefits of the Foundation   School Program for the time spent by the student on that course, in   accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner.          (f)  A student may not be charged for tuition, fees, or   required textbooks or other instructional materials for a dual   credit course offered under the pilot program. The school district   in which the student is enrolled is responsible for the cost of the   student's tuition, fees, or required textbooks or other   instructional materials for that course to the extent that those   amounts are not waived by the licensed hospital offering the   course.          (g)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to   implement this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018   school year.          SECTION 3.  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, 2017.