SB 2503

relating to requiring certain disclosures as part of certain
applications for employment or an internship at a state agency or
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 656, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 656.0011 to read as follows:
Sec. 656.0011.  REQUIRED DISCLOSURES FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT
OR INTERNSHIPS AT STATE AGENCIES AND LEGISLATURE.  (a)  In this
section, "state agency" has the meaning assigned by Section
(b)  A state agency or legislature shall require a student
enrolled at a public higher education institution or who graduated
from an institution of higher education during the preceding five
years and who applies for an employee or intern position at the
state institution or agency to disclose as part of the application
(1)  ever been accused of or found to have violated the
institution's student code of conduct for engaging in conduct that
(A)  Chapter 19 (criminal homicide), Penal Code;
(B)  Section 21.11 (indecency with a child),
22.011 (sexual assault), 22.012 (indecent assault), 22.021
(aggravated sexual assault), or 25.02 (prohibited sexual conduct),
(C)  Section 22.01 (assault) or 22.02 (aggravated
(D)  Section 28.02 (arson), 28.03 (criminal
mischief), or 28.08 (graffiti), Penal Code;
(E)  Section 29.02 (robbery) or 29.03 (aggravated
(F)  Section 42.072 (stalking), Penal Code; or
(G)  an offense under the laws of another state or
federal law that is equivalent to an offense described by Paragraph
(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F);
(2)  ever been arrested for or convicted of an offense
(3)  within the preceding five years, been the subject
of or respondent to an investigation or disciplinary action under
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Section 1681
et seq.) related to sexual misconduct; and
(4)  ever, for reasons other than academic performance,
been suspended or expelled from an institution of higher education
or a private institution of higher education.
(c)  A person who fails to disclose or falsely discloses
information required under Subsection (b) may be:
(1)  disqualified from further consideration for the
(2)  if employed, terminated from employment.
(d)  Information disclosed under Subsection  (b)  is
confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
(e)  The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts shall:
(1)  adopt rules as necessary to administer this
(2)  in coordination with institutions of higher
education, develop guidelines for verifying the information
disclosed under Subsection (b).
SECTION 2.  Section 656.0011, Government Code, as added by
this Act, applies beginning with applications for an employee or
intern position posted by a state agency or legislature on or after
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, 2025.