S.B. No. 37
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 37 passed the Senate on
  April 30, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 28, 2015, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 37 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 23, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 119,
  Nays 20, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor