Texas Senate Bill SB568

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/21/11
• Introduced: 2/9/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/28/11
• Refer: 2/17/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/19/11
• Report Pass: 5/18/11

Caption

Relating to access by a public institution of higher education to the criminal history record information of certain persons seeking to reside in on-campus housing.

Impact

The changes instituted by SB 568 are expected to have significant implications for residency application processes within Texas public higher education institutions. By allowing access to criminal history records, schools can adopt a more stringent assessment of individuals applying for shared living environments, thus aiming to reduce risks associated with housing placements. This measure applies to any applications subsequent to the bill's effective date, establishing a new standard for how institutions engage with applicants' backgrounds.

Summary

Senate Bill 568 focuses on the access that public institutions of higher education have to the criminal history records of those applying for on-campus housing. This bill amends the Government Code to allow institutions to obtain relevant criminal history information from the Department of Public Safety regarding students or applicants looking to reside in these facilities. The intent is to enhance safety protocols by ensuring that potential residents of on-campus housing are appropriately vetted before gaining access.

Contention

While proponents of the bill argue that it is a necessary step for student safety and that it will provide institutions with the information needed to make informed decisions about housing assignments, there may be concerns regarding privacy and fairness. Critics may contend that access to such information could lead to discriminatory practices or unjust exclusions of students based on past offenses that may not reflect their current character. The limitations on the release of this information also raise important considerations regarding transparency and accountability in how such sensitive data is handled.