HBA-MPM H.B. 2913 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2913 By: King, Phil Higher Education 4/7/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An increasing number of Texas students are receiving instruction from nonpublic, nontraditional, and nonaccredited schools, including home schools and church-related schools. H.B. 2913 requires an institution of higher education to treat applicants for undergraduate admission to the institution and who have completed a nontraditional secondary education fairly and according to the same general standards as other applicants for admission. The bill also prohibits an institution of higher education from requiring such students to furnish proof of a high school diploma or equivalent or requiring them to take examinations that are not applicable to other applicants as a condition for admission. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9241, as follows: Sec. 51.9241. ADMISSION OF STUDENT WITH NONTRADITIONAL SECONDARY EDUCATION. (a) Defines for the purposes of this section the following terms: "institution of higher education" and "nontraditional secondary education." (b) Provides that an institution of higher education is required to treat an applicant for undergraduate admission to the institution and who presents evidence of having completed a nontraditional secondary education fairly and according to the same general standards as other applicants for admission. (c) Prohibits an institution of higher education from requiring an applicant for undergraduate admission to the institution who presents evidence of having completed a nontraditional secondary education to do the following: _obtain or submit evidence that the person has obtained a general education development certificate (GED), certificate of high school equivalency, or other credentials equivalent to a high school degree; or _take an examination or comply with any other application or admission requirement not generally applicable to other applicants for undergraduate admission to the university. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.