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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring foreign language credit opportunities for |
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students enrolled in study abroad components or programs offered by |
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certain institutions of higher education in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.313 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.313. STUDY ABROAD: FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY. |
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(a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the |
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meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) For the purpose of providing the opportunity for |
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students to gain proficiency in a foreign language, an institution |
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of higher education that, through any baccalaureate degree program, |
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offers a study abroad component or program in a location where a |
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language other than English is primarily spoken shall provide, in |
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accordance with rules adopted under Subsection (c), an option that |
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allows a student enrolled in the study abroad component or program |
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to earn foreign language credit as part of that component or |
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program. |
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(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
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adopt rules as necessary to implement this section, including rules |
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that: |
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(1) define the study abroad components or programs to |
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which this section applies; and |
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(2) prescribe the manner in which a student may earn |
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foreign language credit as part of a component or program described |
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by Subdivision (1). |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.313, Education Code, as added by this |
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Act, applies beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. |
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SECTION 3. 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 September 1, 2025. |