TITLE: Relating to requiring a sworn statement by certain foreign students enrolled at or employees of public institutions of higher education.

SUMMARY: Relating to requiring a sworn statement by certain foreign students enrolled at or employees of public institutions of higher education.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requiring a sworn statement by certain foreign students enrolled at or employees of public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.9092 to read as follows: Sec. 51.9092. SWORN STATEMENT BY FOREIGN STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE. (a) In this section: (1) "Foreign agent" means a person who intends to retrieve information, research, technology, materials, or other physical or intellectual property on behalf of a foreign government, quasi government, or terrorist organization. (2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) This section applies only to a student or employee who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States. (c) An institution of higher education shall require a student enrolled at or employee of the institution to sign and submit to the institution a statement certifying that the student or employee is not a foreign agent of a foreign government, quasi government, or terrorist organization hostile to the United States of America or this state. (d) A sworn statement under this section must include the following: "By signing this document, I affirm that I am not a foreign agent of a foreign government, quasi government, or terrorist organization hostile to the United States of America or the State of Texas." (e) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section. SECTION 2. Section 51.9092, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies to a student enrolled at or employee of a public institution of higher education regardless of whether the student or employee was enrolled at or hired by the institution before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. 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.