By Wilson H.B. No. 893 76R3422 JSA-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to prohibiting certain conduct by employees of 1-3 institutions of higher education that may cause harm to students. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 51.943 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 51.943. PROHIBITION OF CONDUCT ABUSIVE TO STUDENTS. 1-8 (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the 1-9 meaning assigned by Section 61.003. 1-10 (b) The purpose of this section is to ensure: 1-11 (1) the fair and equitable treatment of students of 1-12 institutions of higher education; and 1-13 (2) that those students are free to pursue their 1-14 academic studies free from undue psychological or mental abuse or 1-15 harassment. 1-16 (c) A person employed by an institution of higher education 1-17 may not, in connection with the person's employment or on property 1-18 of the institution that employs the person, engage in any conduct 1-19 or behavior: 1-20 (1) that a reasonable person would believe is likely 1-21 to cause psychological or mental harm to a student of an 1-22 institution of higher education; or 1-23 (2) with the intent to cause psychological or mental 1-24 harm to a student of the institution that employs the person. 2-1 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-2 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-5 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-6 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.