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Bill to Protect Student Loan Borrowers from Professional Licensure Revocation Passes

Moments ago, Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 37, legislation that protects student loan borrowers from having their professional licenses revoked due to defaulting on their student loans. The bill, introduced by Sen. Judith Zaffirini earlier this year, received unanimous, bipartisan support from the Texas Legislature.

In response to the bill’s passage, Fedora Galasso, Southern Regional Director for Young Invincibles, issued the following statement:

“For too long, young Texans who default on their student loans were at risk of losing their professional license. In 2017, more than 4,200 Texans were at risk of losing their professional license due to student loan default. With 55% of four-year college students in Texas graduating with student loan debt, this issue impacts young people across the state. Sen. Zaffirini’s bill repeals the state’s ability to revoke professional licenses and ensures student borrowers don’t have to worry about their livelihoods being put at risk just because they can’t afford their loan payment. Thanks to SB 37, young people working as lawyers, teachers, truck drivers, barbers, and other occupations that require a professional license can continue working without fear of losing the certification they need to keep their job.

We’re happy to see that state legislators listened and acted on behalf of their constituents, especially young people, that mobilized and campaigned vigorously to support the passage of the bill. We’re also glad to have been part of the mobilizing effort by working with young people to uplift their stories with student debt and support them as they fought for the passage of SB 37.

As young Texans continue to advocate and fight for the issues that matter to them, we’re committed to making sure their voices are heard in the political process.”