BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 459

By: Paxton

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Universities often use early registration or priority registration to allow students with particular time constraints to register for courses ahead of the general student body. Such a registration policy can assist parenting students in managing the demands of school, childcare, and work that create time constraints for the student. By removing one of the significant obstacles that parenting students face, institutions of higher education can encourage them to continue their education and earn their degrees, which better positions their families for success. S.B. 459 seeks to require a public institution of higher education to provide early registration for an enrolled student who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age in the same manner early registration is provided for any applicable group of students.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 459 amends the Education Code to require a public institution of higher education to provide early registration for courses or programs for an enrolled student who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age in the same manner early registration is provided for those courses or programs for any group of students, if applicable. The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with public institutions of higher education, to adopt rules as necessary to administer the bill's provisions, which apply beginning with registration for a course or program for the 2024 spring semester.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.