BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 800

By: Zaffirini

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current state law, Texas postsecondary institutions are required to provide orientations covering the institution's policies on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. However, the bill sponsor has informed the committee that these orientations lack consistent standards for presenting information regarding Title IX coordinators, office locations, and available services, which may hinder students' understanding of how to access critical resources and support. S.B. 800 seeks to establish a uniform and accessible method for postsecondary educational institutions to provide essential information regarding such policies, enhancing students' awareness and access to vital services, by requiring such an institution to include a video in the institution's orientation that clearly communicates the applicable names of Title IX coordinators, Title IX office location and contact information, and the services offered by the Title IX office.

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 this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 800 amends the Education Code to require a postsecondary educational institution's orientation for entering freshman or undergraduate transfer students on the institution's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policy to include a video that states the following:

· the names of the institution's Title IX coordinators and deputy coordinators;

· the location and contact information of the institution's Title IX office; and

· the services provided by the institution's Title IX office.

S.B. 800 applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.