TITLE: Relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and study data on the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public institutions of higher education.

SUMMARY: Relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and study data on the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public institutions of higher education.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect and study data on the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0664 to read as follows: Sec. 61.0664. COLLECTION AND STUDY OF DATA ON PARTICIPATION OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) The board shall collect and maintain data relating to undergraduate and graduate level participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at institutions of higher education, including data regarding applications for admission, admissions, retention, graduation, and professional licensing. (b) The board shall conduct an ongoing study of the data collected and maintained under Subsection (a) to analyze factors affecting the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at institutions of higher education. (c) The board shall conduct an ongoing study on the recruitment of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities at institutions of higher education. The study must identify previously made recruitment efforts, limitations on recruitment, and possible methods for recruitment. Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the board shall submit to the governor and members of the legislature a report on the results of the study conducted under this subsection and any recommendations for legislative or other action. (d) Each institution of higher education, at times prescribed by the board, shall submit to the board any information requested by the board as necessary for the board to carry out its duties under this section. (e) The board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section in a manner that ensures compliance with federal law regarding confidentiality of student medical or educational information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g). SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.