88R20464 JRJ-F
 
  By: Kuempel H.B. No. 4437
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the confidentiality of certain records containing
  applicant or student information that are held by the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 61.031, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.031.  PUBLIC [INTEREST] INFORMATION AND COMPLAINTS.
         SECTION 2.  Section 61.031, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, information
  that relates to a current, former, or prospective applicant or
  student of an educational institution and that is obtained,
  received, or held by the board for the purpose of providing
  assistance with access to postsecondary education shall be
  considered confidential and excepted from disclosure under Chapter
  552, Government Code, and may only be released in conformity with
  the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
  Section 1232g).
         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.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.