89R15478 RDR-F
By: A. Davis of Dallas H.B. No. 4345
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from certain requirements regarding
diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives for certain activities
for veterans or persons with disabilities provided by public
institutions of higher education and to reporting regarding those
activities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.3525, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (d), (e), and (j) and adding Subsection (d-1)
to read as follows:
(d) Subsection (b)(1) may not be construed to apply to:
(1) academic course instruction;
(2) scholarly research or a creative work by an
institution of higher education's students, faculty, or other
research personnel or the dissemination of that research or work;
(3) an activity of a student organization registered
with or recognized by an institution of higher education;
(4) guest speakers or performers on short-term
engagements;
(5) a policy, practice, procedure, program, or
activity to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate
outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race,
sex, color, or ethnicity;
(6) data collection; [or]
(7) student recruitment or admissions; or
(8) a service, program, or activity that supports
veterans or persons with disabilities without regard to race, sex,
color, or ethnicity, including:
(A) the hiring or assignment of personnel
necessary to comply with state or federal law or grant requirements
relating to veterans or persons with disabilities; and
(B) training developed or implemented to address
the unique needs and rights of veterans or persons with
disabilities.
(d-1) The provision of a service, program, or activity under
Subsection (d)(8) may not be used to establish or maintain a
diversity, equity, and inclusion office unless explicitly required
by state or federal law.
(e) An institution of higher education may not spend money
appropriated to the institution for a state fiscal year until the
governing board of the institution submits to the legislature and
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board a report certifying
the board's compliance with this section during the preceding state
fiscal year. The report must include:
(1) a description of services, programs, and
activities offered by the institution that support veterans or
persons with disabilities;
(2) any change or discontinuation of services,
programs, or activities described by Subdivision (1), including the
reason for the change or discontinuation; and
(3) efforts made to ensure compliance with applicable
state and federal laws regarding veterans or persons with
disabilities.
(j) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in
coordination with institutions of higher education, shall conduct a
biennial study to identify the impact of the implementation of this
section on the application rate, acceptance rate, matriculation
rate, retention rate, grade point average, and graduation rate of
students at institutions of higher education, disaggregated by
race, sex, veteran status, disability status, and ethnicity. Not
later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the coordinating
board shall submit to the legislature a report on the results of the
study, [and] any recommendations for legislative or other action,
and a summary of information submitted to the coordinating board
under Subsections (e)(1), (2), and (3). This subsection expires
September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.