SELECTION OF CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) An organization may apply to the comptroller for certification as a certified educational assistance organization during an application period established by the comptroller.

(b) To be eligible for certification, an organization must:

(1) have the ability to perform one or more of the duties and functions required of a certified educational assistance organization under this subchapter;

(2) be registered to do business in this state; and

(3) be able to assist the comptroller in administering the program wholly or partly, including the ability to:

(A) accept, process, and track applications for the program;

(B) assist prospective applicants, applicants, and program participants with finding preapproved education service providers and vendors of educational products;

(C) accept and process payments for approved education-related expenses;

(D) verify that program funding is used only for approved education-related expenses;

(E) verify that a program participant is eligible to participate in the program;

(F) accept, track, review, and resolve inquiries and complaints received regarding the program; and

(G) establish and maintain a comptroller-approved Internet website for the program.

(c) The comptroller shall establish cybersecurity requirements for certified educational assistance organizations, including the implementation of best practices developed under Section 2054.5181, Government Code.

(d) The comptroller may certify not more than five educational assistance organizations to support the administration of the program, including by:

(1) administering wholly or partly:

(A) the application process under Section 29.356; and

(B) the program expenditures process under Section 29.360; and

(2) assisting prospective applicants, applicants, and program participants with understanding approved education-related expenses and finding preapproved education service providers and vendors of educational products.

(e) A certified educational assistance organization designated to perform duties described by Subsection (d)(2) shall:

(1) communicate with parents interested in participating in the program and program participants through synchronous and asynchronous communication, prioritizing synchronous communication, regarding:

(A) the educational options available in this state;

(B) how and when to apply to the program and preapproved education service providers;

(C) how to manage an account, including requesting payments;

(D) program requirements; and

(E) any other information necessary to fulfill the organization's responsibilities under this subchapter; and

(2) raise awareness regarding the availability of the program.

(f) The comptroller may designate a certified educational assistance organization to establish and maintain a comptroller-approved Internet website for the program.