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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to restricting remote work by employees of 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. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.992 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.992. RESTRICTIONS ON REMOTE WORK BY HIGHER |
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EDUCATION EMPLOYEES. (a) In this section, "institution of higher |
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education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 658.010, Government Code, an |
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institution of higher education may not allow an employee to work |
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remotely except as provided by this section. |
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(c) An institution of higher education may allow an employee |
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to work remotely on a temporary or permanent basis if the employee: |
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(1) has a temporary illness; |
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(2) has a temporary or permanent medical condition or |
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disability requiring the institution to make a reasonable |
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accommodation under state or federal law for the employee to work |
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remotely; or |
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(3) is employed in a non-teaching position and: |
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(A) has demonstrated the ability to work well |
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with minimal supervision; |
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(B) has a deep understanding of the employee's |
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duties and responsibilities; |
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(C) has demonstrated the ability to manage the |
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employee's time; |
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(D) has a record of thoroughly and efficiently |
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accomplishing the employee's duties; and |
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(E) is employed in a position that does not |
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require the employee's physical presence at the institution or |
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direct interaction with students, administration, or other |
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employees. |
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(d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt |
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rules as necessary to implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.992, Education Code, as added by this |
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Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 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. |