Texas House Bill HB4251

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/8/23
• Out of House Committee: 4/28/23
• Voted on by House: 5/7/23

Caption

Relating to requiring prior approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a degree or certificate program to certain persons who are incarcerated or subject to involuntary civil commitment.

Impact

The bill, as amended, is intended to regulate the introduction of academic programs designed for incarcerated individuals to ensure a quality education that aligns with state educational goals. It obligates educational institutions to obtain approval before providing programs that could enable participants to receive federal funding, thereby ensuring compliance with higher educational standards. The proposed law could invigorate educational opportunities for inmates, helping them to reintegrate into society upon release and lowering recidivism rates through enhanced education.

Summary

House Bill 4251 seeks to enhance educational opportunities for individuals who are incarcerated or facing involuntary civil commitment by mandating prior approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before any entity can offer degree or certificate programs to these individuals, should they qualify for federal financial aid such as Pell Grants. This legislative effort aims at ensuring that these educational programs meet necessary standards before being implemented, thus promoting equitable education access for marginalized populations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 4251 appears broadly supportive, with endorsements from various stakeholders, including the Texas Association of Business and individuals who have personally benefited from educational programs while incarcerated. Proponents view the bill as a vital step towards rehabilitation, offering inmates the educational tools necessary for a successful transition back into society. Nonetheless, there may be underlying concerns regarding the bureaucratic process of obtaining approval and how it might impact the timely delivery of educational services to those in need.

Contention

Despite the general consensus in favor of the bill, there are concerns regarding the potential limitations it may impose on the flexibility of educational institutions to respond quickly to the needs of incarcerated populations. Critics may argue that requiring prior approval could inadvertently restrict access to educational programs at critical moments when they are most needed. Overall, the focus on establishing a formal approval mechanism appears to balance the necessity of oversight with the urgent educational needs of individuals in penal institutions.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 61. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  • Section: New Section

Health And Safety Code

• Chapter 841. Civil Commitment Of Sexually Violent Predators
  • Section: New Section

Government Code

• Chapter 501. Inmate Welfare
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 2001. Administrative Procedure
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 552. Public Information
  • Section: New Section

Occupations Code

• Chapter 1. General Provisions
  • Section: New Section