HBA-MPM H.B. 893 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 893
By: Wilson
Higher Education
3/30/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no law that specifically prohibits a college or
university professor or administrator from intentionally or recklessly
causing psychological or mental harm to a student.  H.B. 893 prohibits a
person employed by an institution of higher learning from engaging in any
conduct or behavior that may cause psychological or mental harm to any
student, or from acting with the intent to cause psychological or mental
harm to the student. 

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 Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding
Section 51.943, as follows: 

Sec. 51.943.  PROHIBITION OF CONDUCT ABUSIVE TO STUDENTS.  Defines
"institution of higher education," for the purposes of this section, with
the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, as any public technical institute,
public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or
dental unit, or other agency of higher education.  Sets forth the purpose
of this section.  Prohibits a person employed by an institution of higher
learning, in connection with the person's employment or on institution
property, from engaging in any intentional conduct or reckless behavior
which is likely to cause psychological or mental harm to a student of an
institution of higher learning. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.