By: Hughes	S.B. No. 16
	(In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2023; March 13, 2023, read
	first time and referred to Committee on Education; March 30, 2023,
	reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the
	following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 3; March 30, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 16	By:  Middleton

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the purpose of public institutions of higher education
	and a prohibition on compelling students enrolled at those
	institutions to adopt certain beliefs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Education Code, is amended
	by adding Chapter 50 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 50. HIGHER EDUCATION PURPOSE
	Sec. 50.001.  HIGHER EDUCATION PURPOSE. A public
	institution of higher education must be committed to creating an
	environment of:
	(1)  intellectual inquiry and academic freedom so that
	all students are equipped for participation in the workforce and
	the betterment of society; and
	(2)  intellectual diversity so that all students are
	respected and educated regardless of race, sex, or ethnicity or
	social, political, or religious background or belief.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 51.982 to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.982.  PROHIBITION ON COMPELLING CERTAIN
	BELIEFS.  (a)  In this section, "institution of higher education"
	has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
	(b)  A faculty member of an institution of higher education
	may not compel or attempt to compel a student enrolled at the
	institution to adopt a belief that any race, sex, or ethnicity or
	social, political, or religious belief is inherently superior to
	any other race, sex, ethnicity, or belief.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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