In addition to the words and terms defined in §4.3 of this chapter (relating to Definitions), the following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. (1) Affinity--Relationship between individuals based on being married or the fact that the spouse of one of the individuals is related by consanguinity to the other individual. The ending of a marriage ends relationships by affinity unless a child of that marriage is living, in which case the affinity continues as long as a child of that marriage lives. These relationships are named as follows:

   1. (A) First Degree--Spouse, spouse's child, spouse's mother or father, child's spouse, parent's spouse.
   2. (B) Second Degree--Spouse's brother or sister, spouse's grandparent, spouse's grandchild, brother or sister's spouse, grandparent's spouse, grandchild's spouse.

2. (2) Consanguinity--Relationship between individuals based on being descendants of one another or sharing a common ancestor. An adopted child is considered to be a child of the adoptive parent. These relationships are named as follows:

   1. (A) First Degree--Mother, father, daughter, or son.
   2. (B) Second Degree--Brother, sister, grandparent, or grandchild.
   3. (C) Third Degree--Great-grandparent, great-grandchild, uncle (brother of parent), aunt (sister of parent), nephew (son of brother or sister), or niece (daughter of brother or sister).
3. (3) Scholarship--An award of gift aid that does not have to be repaid by the student or earned through service or performance.
4. (4) University System--The association of one or more public senior colleges or universities, medical or dental units or other agencies of higher education under the policy direction of a single governing board, as defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003(10).
5. (5) Within the Second Degree of Affinity--A circumstance in which a person is a spouse, spouse's child, spouse's mother or father, child's spouse, parent's spouse, spouse's brother or sister, spouse's grandparent, spouse's grandchild, brother or sister's spouse, grandparent's spouse, or grandchild's spouse.
6. (6) Within the Third Degree by Consanguinity--A circumstance in which a person is a parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, great-grandparent, great-grandchild, aunt who is a sister of a parent of the individual, uncle who is a brother of a parent of the individual, nephew who is a child of a brother or sister of the individual, or niece who is a child of a brother or sister of the individual of an individual. An adopted child is considered to be a child of the adoptive parent for this purpose.

Source Note:The provisions of this §4.381 adopted to be effective May 15, 2025, 50 TexReg 2784.