87R9781 CXP-D     By: Campbell S.B. No. 937       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an excused absence from a public institution of higher   education for a student called to required military service.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 51.9111, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 51.9111.  EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR REQUIRED [ACTIVE]   MILITARY SERVICE.          SECTION 2.  Section 51.9111(a)(2), Education Code, is   amended to read as follows:                (2)  "Required [Active] military service" includes   required [active] military service performed by a member of the   Texas National Guard or the Texas State Guard.          SECTION 3.  Sections 51.9111(b) and (c), Education Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  This section applies only if:                (1)  a student enrolled in an institution of higher   education fails to attend classes or engage in other required   activities because the student is called to required [active]   military service that is of a reasonably brief duration, as   determined by rule adopted under Subsection (d); and                (2)  the student chooses not to withdraw as authorized   by Section 54.006(f).          (c)  An institution of higher education shall excuse a   student from attending classes or engaging in other required   activities, including examinations, in order for the student to   participate in required [active] military service to which the   student is called, including travel associated with the service. A   student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be   penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to complete an   assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused   within a reasonable time after the absence. An instructor may   appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily   complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time   after the absence.          SECTION 4.  (a) Section 51.9111, Education Code, as amended   by this Act, applies beginning with the 2021 fall semester.          (b)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this   Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt or   amend rules as necessary to implement Section 51.9111, Education   Code, as amended by this Act.          SECTION 5.  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.