Bill > HB1479

This bill strengthens protections for student organizations' expressive rights at public higher education institutions in Texas by prohibiting institutions from taking adverse actions against student groups based on their political, religious, philosophical, ideological, academic viewpoints, or organizational leadership requirements. Specifically, the bill allows student organizations to require leaders and members to affirm the group's beliefs, comply with its standards of conduct, and further its mission without facing institutional penalties. The legislation provides legal recourse for organizations, allowing them to seek declaratory judgments or injunctions within one year of an alleged rights violation, with each day of a continuing violation considered a separate infraction. Additionally, students and organizations can raise these protections as a defense in any civil, administrative, or disciplinary proceedings, and the bill waives sovereign immunity for institutions found to be in violation. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to causes of action that accrue on or after that date, ensuring existing legal matters are governed by previous statutes.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1479