88R8371 KJE-D
By: Harris of Anderson H.B. No. 1607
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting certain instruction as part of a course at a
public institution of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.982 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.982. CERTAIN INSTRUCTION PROHIBITED. (a) In this
section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned
by Section 61.003.
(b) An institution of higher education may not require or
make part of a course inculcation in the concept that:
(1) one race or sex is inherently superior to another
race or sex;
(2) an individual, by virtue of the individual's race
or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether
consciously or unconsciously;
(3) an individual should be discriminated against or
receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the
individual's race or sex;
(4) an individual's moral character, standing, or
worth is necessarily determined by the individual's race or sex;
(5) an individual, by virtue of the individual's race
or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for actions committed
by other members of the same race or sex;
(6) meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are
racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to
oppress members of another race; or
(7) with respect to their relationship to American
values, slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from,
betrayals of, or failures to live up to the authentic founding
principles of the United States, which include liberty and
equality.
(c) An institution of higher education that violates this
section is ineligible to receive state funds.
(d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
adopt rules as necessary to enforce this section.
SECTION 2. Section 51.982, Education Code, as added by this
Act, applies beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year.
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, 2023.