BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2815 By: Creighton Education K-16 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT College diplomas represent a student's academic journey and institutional affiliation. For many, this name holds personal, professional, and historical significance. Students who have graduated from an institution that has merged or rebrandedfor financial or strategic reasonshave expressed concerns about graduating under a new institution name that does not reflect their experience. S.B. 2815 requires Texas public institutions of higher education that undergo a name change due to a merger or rebranding to offer enrolled students the option to receive their diploma with either the new or former institution name. As proposed, S.B. 2815 amends current law relating to the diploma designation of an institution of higher education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.997, as follows: Sec. 51.997. DIPLOMA DESIGNATION IN THE CASE OF A MERGER. Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, merges or changes names, to offer each student enrolled at the time of the name change the option to receive a diploma with the new institution name or the former institution name. SECTION 2. Provides that the changes in law made by this act apply beginning with the 20252026 academic year. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2815
By: Creighton
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2815
By: Creighton
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
College diplomas represent a student's academic journey and institutional affiliation. For many, this name holds personal, professional, and historical significance. Students who have graduated from an institution that has merged or rebrandedfor financial or strategic reasonshave expressed concerns about graduating under a new institution name that does not reflect their experience.
S.B. 2815 requires Texas public institutions of higher education that undergo a name change due to a merger or rebranding to offer enrolled students the option to receive their diploma with either the new or former institution name.
As proposed, S.B. 2815 amends current law relating to the diploma designation of an institution of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.997, as follows:
Sec. 51.997. DIPLOMA DESIGNATION IN THE CASE OF A MERGER. Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, merges or changes names, to offer each student enrolled at the time of the name change the option to receive a diploma with the new institution name or the former institution name.
SECTION 2. Provides that the changes in law made by this act apply beginning with the 20252026 academic year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.