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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to postsecondary degree requirements in hiring and |
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contracting by governmental entities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Chapter 621 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 621. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC EMPLOYEE POSITIONS |
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Sec. 621.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Direct experience" means any verifiable, |
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previous work experience in which: |
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(A) the applicant's primary duties were |
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consistent with the primary duties of the vacant position; or |
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(B) the skills necessary to perform the |
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applicant's primary duties are transferable to the vacant position. |
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(2) "Postsecondary degree" means an associate's, |
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bachelor's, master's, professional, or doctoral degree from an |
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accredited institution of higher education. |
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(3) "Public employer" means a state agency or a |
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political subdivision of this state, including a municipality and |
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county, that seeks to hire an individual for a vacant position. |
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Sec. 621.002. ALTERNATIVE TO POSTSECONDARY DEGREE |
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REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYERS. (a) A public employer may |
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establish for a vacant position as an alternative to a |
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postsecondary degree requirement a specific number of years of |
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direct experience in a similar position not to exceed: |
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(1) two years of direct experience for an associate's |
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degree; |
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(2) four years of direct experience for a bachelor's |
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degree; |
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(3) six years of direct experience for a master's |
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degree; |
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(4) seven years of direct experience for a |
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professional degree; or |
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(5) nine years of direct experience for a doctoral |
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degree. |
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(b) A public employer may not substitute direct experience |
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under this section for a licensure, certification, or registration |
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requirement for a vacant position that is included in |
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advertisements for the position. |
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(c) A public employer that elects to substitute direct |
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experience for a postsecondary degree requirement for a vacant |
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position must include in all advertisements for the position notice |
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of the substitution opportunity and a description of the experience |
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eligible for substitution. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 2252, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2252.911 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2252.911. POSTSECONDARY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR |
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CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Direct experience" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 621.001. |
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(2) "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 2252.001. |
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(3) "Postsecondary degree" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 621.001. |
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(b) This section applies only to a contract for services. |
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(c) A governmental entity may establish for services |
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performed under a contract as an alternative to a postsecondary |
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degree requirement a specific number of years of direct experience |
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if the person providing the services under the contract is |
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otherwise qualified to provide the contracted services. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |