BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 459
	By: Paxton
	Education
	6/16/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Universities oftentimes accommodate students with unique time constraints by allowing them to register for their courses before the general student population, a process sometimes referred to as "early registration" or "priority registration," to increase the likelihood that these students will be able to register for the courses that fit their schedules before they fill up. Examples of these groups include student-workers, student-athletes, students with disabilities, honors students, and veterans, although the groups offered priority registration varies from institution to institution. 

The proposed legislation will grant student-parents access to course registration prior to the general student population so that they can ensure that their class schedules align with the hours they have access to childcare. By reducing one of the barriers to academic success faced by student-parents, this proposed legislation helps student-parents stay in college and finish their degrees, which helps better set up their young families for success. Moreover, this benefits the Texas economy by reducing one of the barriers faced by some of the Texans who desire to continue their education through reskilling and upskilling. 

S.B. 459 amends current law relating to early registration for parenting students at public institutions of higher education.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 51.983, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.983, as follows:

Sec. 51.983. EARLY REGISTRATION FOR PARENTING STUDENTS. (a) Defines "institution of higher education" and "parenting student."

(b) Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution provides early registration for courses or programs at the institution for any group of students, to provide early registration for those courses or programs for parenting students in the same manner.

(c) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with institutions of higher education, to adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.

SECTION 2. Provides that Section 51.983, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with registration for a course or program for the 2024 spring semester.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.