veteran and disability services survive the college DEI ban

The text as introduced · 542 words

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.