86R4219 KJE-F
By: Neave H.B. No. 617
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board on the response by certain public and private
institutions of higher education to reports of sexual assault at
those institutions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0666 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0666. STUDY AND REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AT
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (a) In this section,
"postsecondary educational institution" means:
(1) an institution of higher education; or
(2) a private or independent college or university
approved for purposes of the tuition equalization grant program
under Subchapter F.
(b) The board shall conduct a study regarding the response
by postsecondary educational institutions to reports of sexual
assault committed against students enrolled at those institutions.
The study must identify policies adopted by those institutions that
have the effect of deterring students from reporting incidents of
sexual assault or of hindering investigations of those reports.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2020, the board shall submit
to the legislature a report on the board's findings. The report
must include information regarding the policies identified under
Subsection (b).
(d) This section expires September 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. 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, 2019.