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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to initiatives for first-generation students, low-income |
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students, or underserved student populations at public |
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institutions of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51.3525, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) and (c) to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.3525. RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNING BOARDS REGARDING |
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES. (a) In this |
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section, "diversity, equity, and inclusion office" means an office, |
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division, or other unit of an institution of higher education |
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established for the purpose of: |
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(1) deliberately or intentionally influencing hiring |
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or employment practices at the institution with respect to race, |
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sex, color, or ethnicity, other than through the use of color-blind |
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and sex-neutral hiring processes in accordance with any applicable |
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state and federal antidiscrimination laws; |
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(2) deliberately or intentionally promoting |
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differential treatment of or providing special benefits to |
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individuals on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity; |
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(3) promoting policies or procedures designed or |
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implemented in reference to race, color, or ethnicity, other than |
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policies or procedures approved in writing by the institution's |
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general counsel and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board |
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for the sole purpose of ensuring compliance with any applicable |
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court order or state or federal law; or |
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(4) conducting trainings, programs, or activities |
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designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, |
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gender identity, or sexual orientation, other than trainings, |
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programs, or activities developed by an attorney and approved in |
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writing by the institution's general counsel and the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board for the sole purpose of ensuring |
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compliance with any applicable court order or state or federal law. |
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(c) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit or |
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prohibit an institution of higher education or an employee of an |
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institution of higher education from, for purposes of applying for |
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a grant or complying with the terms of accreditation by an |
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accrediting agency, submitting to the grantor or accrediting agency |
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a statement that: |
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(1)highlights the institution's work in supporting: |
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(A) first-generation college students; |
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(B) low-income students; or |
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(C) underserved student populations; or |
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(2) certifies compliance with state and federal |
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antidiscrimination laws. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect January 1, 2026. |