By: Campbell S.B. No. 2431
(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2025; March 25, 2025, read
first time and referred to Committee on Education K-16;
April 9, 2025, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 10,
Nays 0; April 9, 2025, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring foreign language credit opportunities for
students enrolled in study abroad programs offered by certain
institutions of higher education in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.313 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.313. STUDY ABROAD: FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.
(a) In this section, "institution of higher education" and
"private or independent institution of higher education" have the
meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) For the purpose of providing the opportunity for
students to gain proficiency in a foreign language, an institution
of higher education or a private or independent institution of
higher education that, through any baccalaureate degree program,
offers a study abroad program in a location where a language other
than English is primarily spoken shall provide an option that
allows a student enrolled in the study abroad program to earn
foreign language credit as part of that program.
(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may
establish procedures and adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 2. Section 51.313, Education Code, as added by this
Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 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.
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