HB2081

HB2081 establishes the Building Better Futures Program to support inclusive college-based education, occupational skills training and services for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers it and may award money to eligible public or private/independent institutions—not directly to individual students under this grant provision. The board may use a competitive application process. Final law.

Participating institutions must offer a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program approved by, or awaiting approval from, the U.S. Department of Education. They must use a selective admissions process and give successful completers a certificate. If federal approval is pending when an institution is selected, the board must set criteria to ensure approval within three years of that selection. This is not automatic participation for every college or automatic admission for every applicant. Final law, Sections 61.572–61.573.

An applicant must apply to a qualifying program, be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, have a qualifying intellectual or developmental disability diagnosed by an authorized professional, be able and willing to participate in an inclusive classroom and work setting, and meet the accepting institution’s determination that the applicant is not a danger to self or others. Lawful permanent residents must submit the specified status documentation. Texas residency is generally required; an otherwise eligible nonresident may participate only when an opening remains after all other eligible applicants are admitted. The institution may require listed residency documentation. Final law, Section 61.574.

Program credits cannot be transferred to an associate or bachelor’s degree program. These are certificate-based training and support opportunities, not a promise of transferable degree credit. Program courses are exempt from the specified ordinary academic-program approval and core-curriculum/credit-transfer provisions, while their own program eligibility and board-rule requirements remain. Final law, Sections 61.572(c) and 61.575; Education Code 61.0512 and 61.822.

The board may use available revenue, including appropriations, and accept public or private gifts, grants and donations. HB2081 itself does not set a grant amount, promise free tuition or appropriate a fixed sum. It took immediate effect May 26, 2025, with implementation rules required as soon as practicable. Enactment alone does not establish that a particular institution currently has funded places available. Final law, Sections 61.576–61.577 and Sections 2–3; history.