By: Martinez H.B. No. 4575
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from accreditation for certain private
postsecondary educational institutions offering professional law
degrees in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.313, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (g-1) to read as follows:
(g-1) For the purposes of Subsection (a), a private
postsecondary educational institution that holds a certificate of
authority issued under Section 61.3035 may use the term "school of
law" or "law school" in the institution's official name or title.
SECTION 2. Subchapter G, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.3035 to read as follows:
Section 61.3035. EXEMPTION FROM ACCREDITATION FOR CERTAIN
LAW SCHOOLS. (a) The board by rule shall establish fair and
reasonable standards for issuing a certificate of authority to a
private postsecondary educational institution in this state to
grant degrees for completion of a professional program in the study
of law.
(b) The standards under this section must ensure that each
student attending the institution receives an education that fully
prepares the student for the practice of law in this state.
SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 81, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 81.062 to read as follows:
Sec. 81.062. ADMISSION OF GRADUATES OF CERTAIN LAW SCHOOLS.
Notwithstanding any other law, a person who holds a degree granted
by a law school to which a certificate of authority has been issued
under Section 61.3035, Education Code, is entitled to the same
right to admission to the practice of law and to be administered the
professional licensing examination by the board of law examiners
under Subchapter B, Chapter 82, as are persons who hold a degree
granted by an accredited law school in this state.
SECTION 4. Section 82.0341, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 82.0241. UNACCREDITED SCHOOLS OF LAW; EXCEPTION. All
matters relating to licensing of persons who were enrolled at
unaccredited schools of law in this state are within the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of Texas, except that
a person who holds a degree granted by a law school to which a
certificate of authority has been issued under Section 61.3035,
Education Code, is entitled to the same rights concerning licensing
as a person who holds a degree granted by an accredited law school.
SECTION 5. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall adopt the standards required by Section 61.3035, Education
Code, as added by this Act, not later than November 1, 2009.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.