HB4351 - Relating to postsecondary degree requirements in hiring and contracting by governmental entities.

  89R12663 LRM-F     By: Dutton H.B. No. 4351       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to postsecondary degree requirements in hiring and   contracting by governmental entities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 621 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 621. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC EMPLOYEE POSITIONS           Sec. 621.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                 (1)     "Direct experience" means any verifiable,   previous work experience in which:                       (A)     the applicant's primary duties were   consistent with the primary duties of the vacant position; or                       (B)     the skills necessary to perform the   applicant's primary duties are transferable to the vacant position.                 (2)     "Postsecondary degree" means an associate's,   bachelor's, master's, professional, or doctoral degree from an   accredited institution of higher education.                 (3)     "Public employer" means a state agency or a   political subdivision of this state, including a municipality and   county, that seeks to hire an individual for a vacant position.           Sec.   621.002.     ALTERNATIVE TO POSTSECONDARY DEGREE   REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYERS. (a) A public employer may   establish for a vacant position as an alternative to a   postsecondary degree requirement a specific number of years of   direct experience in a similar position not to exceed:                 (1)     two years of direct experience for an associate's   degree;                 (2)     four years of direct experience for a bachelor's   degree;                 (3)     six years of direct experience for a master's   degree;                 (4)     seven years of direct experience for a   professional degree; or                 (5)     nine years of direct experience for a doctoral   degree.           (b)     A public employer may not substitute direct experience   under this section for a licensure, certification, or registration   requirement for a vacant position that is included in   advertisements for the position.           (c)     A public employer that elects to substitute direct   experience for a postsecondary degree requirement for a vacant   position must include in all advertisements for the position notice   of the substitution opportunity and a description of the experience   eligible for substitution.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 2252, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 2252.911 to read as follows:           Sec.   2252.911.     POSTSECONDARY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR   CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES.     (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Direct experience" has the meaning assigned by   Section 621.001.                 (2)     "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by   Section 2252.001.                 (3)     "Postsecondary degree" has the meaning assigned by   Section 621.001.           (b)  This section applies only to a contract for services.           (c)     A governmental entity may establish for services   performed under a contract as an alternative to a postsecondary   degree requirement a specific number of years of direct experience   if the person providing the services under the contract is   otherwise qualified to provide the contracted services.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.