BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2533

By: Middleton

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that accreditation plays a crucial role in ensuring that law schools meet educational standards and that their graduates are eligible to sit for the bar exam. However, the bill sponsor has further informed the committee that the American Bar Association (ABA), which is the only national accreditor recognized for that purpose, has come under federal scrutiny due to its diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements, particularly Standard 206, and that the U.S. Department of Justice, under the current administration, has threatened action against the ABA, raising concerns about the future of its accreditation authority. S.B. 2533 seeks to address the uncertainty surrounding the ABA's status and its controversial policies by proposing an alternative framework for accrediting law schools in Texas.

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. 2533 amends the Education Code to require a law school at a public, private, or independent institution of higher education to be accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or its successor of interest and the Texas Supreme Court for the purposes of institutional accreditation of law schools.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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