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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the procedure for resolving allegations of religious |
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discrimination against a student at a public institution of higher |
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education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 51.985 and 51.986 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.985. PROCEDURE FOR ALLEGATION OF RELIGIOUS |
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DISCRIMINATION AGAINST STUDENT. (a) In this section, "institution |
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of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) The president of an institution of higher education |
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shall investigate an allegation submitted to the institution that a |
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professor or instructor at the institution discriminated against a |
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student on the basis of religion. |
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(c) If the president of an institution of higher education |
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determines that a professor or instructor at the institution |
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discriminated against a student on the basis of religion, the |
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institution shall terminate the professor's or instructor's |
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employment. |
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(d) In investigating an allegation under this section, the |
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president of an institution of higher education shall ensure that |
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the professor or instructor is afforded appropriate due process. |
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The president shall use the standards and procedures prescribed by |
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institution policies to address other complaints of discrimination |
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by a professor or instructor at the institution to the extent |
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practicable. |
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Sec. 51.986. CONSERVATORSHIP OF DEPARTMENT. (a) If the |
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employment of a professor or instructor is terminated under Section |
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51.985, the department under which the terminated professor or |
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instructor was employed shall be placed under the conservatorship |
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of the office of the president. |
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(b) The department shall be placed under conservatorship |
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for a time period of not less than 90 days, until the president |
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determines that there are no continuing risks of religious |
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discrimination against any student. |
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(c) The president may: |
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(1) investigate further risks of religious |
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discrimination against any student; |
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(2) require the adoption of certain policies by the |
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department to prevent further religious discrimination against any |
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student; and |
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(3) take any action necessary to prevent and remove |
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any risk of further religious discrimination against any student. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 51.985 and 51.986, Education Code, as |
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added by this Act, applies only to an allegation of religious |
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discrimination submitted to a public institution of higher |
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education on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of |
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whether the conduct or act that is the subject of the allegation |
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occurred or was committed before, on, or after the effective date of |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |