HBA-MPM H.B. 3715 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3715 By: Shields Higher Education 4/8/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In 1975, the Texas Legislature enacted legislation regulating private post-secondary educational institutions, which include those which are church-related, with the intent of preventing "diploma mills." This law prevents these institutions from offering degrees without first obtaining permission from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Recently, however, this law has been used to shut down church-related colleges and universities. H.B. 3715 excludes legitimate seminaries and church-based institutions of higher education from the definition of "private postsecondary educational institution." 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 Section 61.302(l), Subchapter G, Chapter 61, Education Code, to include among the definitions of "private postsecondary educational institution" or "institution" an educational institution which is not a seminary, theological educational institution, divinity educational institution, parochial educational institution, church-based educational institution, church-related educational institution, religion-based educational institution, or religion-related educational institution. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.