TX SB2281

Expands existing liaison officer programs at Texas public colleges and universities to serve homeless students in addition to current and former foster care students, requiring officers to provide information on financial aid, housing, food programs, and counseling services

Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules ensuring liaison officers serving homeless students participate in federal professional development programs under 42 U.S.C. Section 11432(d)(5)

Extends temporary housing assistance between academic terms to homeless students, previously available only to former foster care youth, with eligibility requiring full-time enrollment and lack of other reasonable housing alternatives

Mandates public institutions of higher education with student housing facilities give priority in housing assignments to students who are homeless

Establishes a memorandum of understanding between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Education Agency, and Department of Family and Protective Services to exchange demographic and educational outcome data for homeless and former foster care students, with implementation deadlines of January 1, 2026 for liaison designation and March 1, 2026 for the MOU