I just found out about this on Friday. This has got to be one of the best kept secrets in the whole state. This is fantastic news, so forward it to every Texas cop you know. I can't wait for Jan. 1, 2011 to get here (that's when this new law will go into effect).

John
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House Bill 2347 amends provisions of the Education Code relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain persons. The bill requires the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt from the payment of tuition and laboratory fees for a criminal justice or law enforcement course an undergraduate student who is employed as a peace officer, is enrolled in a related degree program, and meets certain specified requirements. The bill provides restrictions on such an exemption and requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules relating to such exemptions for firefighters and peace officers. For an exemption applicable to educational aides, the bill requires the institution of higher education at which a person seeking an exemption is enrolled, rather than the coordinating board, to certify the person's eligibility for such an exemption beginning with the 2009 fall semester. The bill is effective January 1, 2011, except for the provision relating to the exemption applicable to educational aides, effective June 19, 2009.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB2347#

So does this only pay for the criminal justice courses at a college or does it pay for getting the whole degree??

It only applies to tuition charges for courses related to a criminal justice or law enforcement management curriculum. It does not apply to general studies.

The current law can be found here: Education Code Sec. 54.2081