85R9554 KJE-D
By: Leach H.B. No. 2229
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring certain public and private institutions of
higher education to provide students and employees an option to
electronically report certain offenses to the institution.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9365 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9365. ELECTRONIC REPORTING OPTION FOR CERTAIN
OFFENSES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by
Section 71.004, Family Code.
(2) "Postsecondary educational institution" means an
institution of higher education or a private or independent
institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by
Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) Each postsecondary educational institution shall
provide an option for a student enrolled at or an employee of the
institution to electronically report to the institution an
allegation of sexual assault, family violence, or stalking
committed against or witnessed by the student or employee,
regardless of the location at which the alleged offense occurred.
(c) The electronic reporting option provided under
Subsection (b) must enable a student or employee to report the
alleged offense anonymously.
(d) A protocol for reporting sexual assault adopted under
Section 51.9363 must comply with this section.
(e) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
rules as necessary to administer this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2018, each public or
private postsecondary educational institution shall provide the
electronic reporting option required under Section 51.9365,
Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2017.