HB4345 - Relating to an exemption from certain requirements regarding diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives for certain activities for veterans or persons with disabilities provided by public institutions of higher education and to reporting regarding those activities.

  89R15478 RDR-F     By: A. Davis of Dallas H.B. No. 4345       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an exemption from certain requirements regarding   diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives for certain activities   for veterans or persons with disabilities provided by public   institutions of higher education and to reporting regarding those   activities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 51.3525, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (d), (e), and (j) and adding Subsection (d-1)   to read as follows:          (d)  Subsection (b)(1) may not be construed to apply to:                (1)  academic course instruction;                (2)  scholarly research or a creative work by an   institution of higher education's students, faculty, or other   research personnel or the dissemination of that research or work;                (3)  an activity of a student organization registered   with or recognized by an institution of higher education;                (4)  guest speakers or performers on short-term   engagements;                (5)  a policy, practice, procedure, program, or   activity to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate   outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race,   sex, color, or ethnicity;                (6)  data collection; [ or ]                (7)  student recruitment or admissions ; or                 (8)     a service, program, or activity that supports   veterans or persons with disabilities without regard to race, sex,   color, or ethnicity, including:                       (A)     the hiring or assignment of personnel   necessary to comply with state or federal law or grant requirements   relating to veterans or persons with disabilities; and                       (B)     training developed or implemented to address   the unique needs and rights of veterans or persons with   disabilities .           (d-1)     The provision of a service, program, or activity under   Subsection (d)(8) may not be used to establish or maintain a   diversity, equity, and inclusion office unless explicitly required   by state or federal law.          (e)  An institution of higher education may not spend money   appropriated to the institution for a state fiscal year until the   governing board of the institution submits to the legislature and   the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board a report certifying   the board's compliance with this section during the preceding state   fiscal year.   The report must include:                 (1)     a description of services, programs, and   activities offered by the institution that support veterans or   persons with disabilities;                 (2)     any change or discontinuation of services,   programs, or activities described by Subdivision (1), including the   reason for the change or discontinuation; and                 (3)     efforts made to ensure compliance with applicable   state and federal laws regarding veterans or persons with   disabilities.          (j)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in   coordination with institutions of higher education, shall conduct a   biennial study to identify the impact of the implementation of this   section on the application rate, acceptance rate, matriculation   rate, retention rate, grade point average, and graduation rate of   students at institutions of higher education, disaggregated by   race, sex, veteran status, disability status, and ethnicity.  Not   later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the coordinating   board shall submit to the legislature a report on the results of the   study , [ and ] any recommendations for legislative or other action ,   and a summary of information submitted to the coordinating board   under Subsections (e)(1), (2), and (3) .  This subsection expires   September 1, 2029.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.