By: Paxton S.B. No. 2310
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to transparency regarding requirements to complete a
certificate or degree program at a public institution of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.07771 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.07771. TRANSPARENCY IN CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. (a) The board, in consultation with
institutions of higher education, shall adopt rules requiring
institutions of higher education to provide transparency in
certificate and degree program requirements for students enrolling
at or transferring to the institution.
(b) The rules must require each institution of higher
education to:
(1) ensure that the requirements for each certificate
or degree program offered by the institution:
(A) are current, accessible to students enrolled
at the institution and members of the public through the following
sources, as applicable, and uniform at each of the following
sources:
(i) the institution's internal Internet
website for students;
(ii) the institution's Internet website;
and
(iii) the Internet website of the
department at the institution that offers the certificate or degree
program; and
(B) state:
(i) the prerequisites for each course
required as part of the certificate or degree program; and
(ii) any non-course requirements for the
certificate or degree program and, if the institution offers
different tracks for completing the program, those requirements for
each track; and
(2) post on the institution's Internet website the
minimum requirements to be accepted as a transfer student at the
institution.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt the rules required
by Section 61.07771, Education Code, as added by this Act.
(b) A public institution of higher education shall comply
with the rules adopted under Subsection (a) of this section
beginning with the 2026-2027 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, 2025.