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.