By: King, et al. S.B. No. 1517
(Paul)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting certain academic boycotts of foreign
countries by public institutions 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 51.987 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.987. CERTAIN ACADEMIC BOYCOTTS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "institution of higher
education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Subject to Subsection (c), an institution of higher
education may not implement an academic boycott of a foreign
country that would prevent a student or faculty member of the
institution from:
(1) studying or conducting research in or about the
country; or
(2) interacting with the country's scholars or
representatives.
(c) An institution of higher education may implement an
academic boycott described by Subsection (b) of a foreign country
included by the United States Department of State on a list of state
sponsors of terrorism.
(d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.