84R6341 KJE-D
 
  By: González H.B. No. 1672
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring public institutions of higher education to
  request student disciplinary records for certain applicants for
  admission to the institution.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.9246 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.9246.  REQUEST FOR DISCIPLINARY RECORDS OF CERTAIN
  APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board.
               (2)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003.
               (3)  "Postsecondary educational institution" has the
  meaning assigned by Section 56.003.
         (b)  On receipt of an admissions application from an
  applicant requesting undergraduate transfer admission to the
  institution or admission to a graduate, postgraduate, or
  professional program offered by the institution, an institution of
  higher education shall request the student's disciplinary records
  from each postsecondary educational institution at which the
  applicant was previously enrolled, as identified in the applicant's
  admissions application.
         (c)  Subject to the limitation prescribed by Subsection (d),
  an institution of higher education that receives a request for a
  student's disciplinary records from another institution of higher
  education under Subsection (b) shall deliver a copy of the records
  to the requesting institution as soon as practicable. The records
  must state the factual basis of any disciplinary action taken by the
  institution against the student.
         (d)  An institution of higher education that is required to
  release student disciplinary records under Subsection (c) shall
  comply with any applicable provision of federal law regarding
  confidentiality of student educational information, including the
  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1232g).
         (e)  The coordinating board shall adopt rules as necessary to
  implement this section in a manner that ensures compliance with
  federal law regarding confidentiality of student educational
  information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
  Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).
         SECTION 2.  Section 51.9246, Education Code, as added by
  this Act, applies beginning with admissions applications received
  by a public institution of higher education on or after January 1,
  2016.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement Section 51.9246, Education Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.