STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 791

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator CUNNINGHAM)

ADOPTED: JUNE 15, 2020

     These Senate floor amendments:

     1)    provide that the degree plan required to be filed under the bill by a student enrolled in a four-year institution of higher education or proprietary institution is to be filed no later than the completion of 60 credits.  The bill as introduced requires the plan to be filed no later than the completion of 45 credits;

     2)    require a four-year institution of higher education to develop a process for undergraduate students who transfer  to the institution with at least 45 credit hours of course work to develop and file a degree plan with the institution during the student’s second semester at the institution.  The bill as introduced requires the student to file a degree plan with the institution in the student’s first semester at the institution;

     3)    require an institution of higher education or proprietary institution to provide notice to a student who selects a new academic major or minor, or who experiences such other change in circumstance as defined by the institution, that the student must file a revised degree plan with the institution as soon as practicable;

     4)    clarify that the requirement established under the bill  that the pathway for each first-time degree-seeking student  include credit-bearing mathematics and English courses that are applicable towards degree requirements in the first 24 credit hours of course work, is applicable to  the first 24 hours of course work completed at the institution of higher education or proprietary institution; and;

     5)    eliminate the requirement that a student who is in danger of falling behind the graduation progress benchmarks consult with an appropriate academic official,  must consult with the appropriate academic official prior to course registration.