SRC-TAG C.S.H.B. 944 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 944 78R16526 JSA-DBy: King (Estes) Subcommittee on Higher Education 5/21/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, during the application process for admission to an institution of higher education, a "nontraditional secondary education" student, which includes a student who was home-schooled or who attended a nonaccredited private school is required to submit evidence or take an examination that is not required for other applicants. C.S.H.B. 944 prohibits institutions of higher education from discriminating against students with a "nontraditional secondary 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 51.9241, as follows: Sec. 51.9241. ADMISSION OF STUDENT WITH NONTRADITIONAL SECONDARY EDUCATION. (a) Defines "institution of higher education" and "nontraditional secondary education." (b) Requires an institution of higher education to treat an applicant for admission to the institution as an undergraduate student who presents evidence that the person has successfully completed a nontraditional secondary education according to the same general standards as other applicants for undergraduate admission who have graduated from a public high school. (c) Prohibits an institution of higher education from requiring an applicant for admission to the institution as an undergraduate student who presents evidence that the person has successfully completed a nontraditional secondary education to obtain or submit evidence that the person has obtained a general education development certificate, certificate of high school equivalency, or other credentials equivalent to a public high school degree; or take an examination or comply with any other application or admission requirement not generally applicable to other applicants for undergraduate admission to the institution. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003. Makes application of this Act prospective.