Education, Higher - As enacted, requires the office of the comptroller of the treasury to include in any audit conducted by the office of a governing board of a public institution of higher education an examination into whether each institution governed by the board is complying with the equal protection provisions of the Tennessee and United States constitutions in the institution's admission program and practices. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8, Chapter 4; Title 49, Chapter 8; Title 49, Chapter 9 and Title 49, Chapter 7.

This law requires the state comptroller to check if public universities in Tennessee are following equal protection rules when admitting students. Specifically, the comptroller must review admission programs at the University of Tennessee system, the state university and community college system, and other state universities to ensure they comply with federal and state constitutional standards. This audit requirement is designed to address legal principles established by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding university admissions. The changes became effective on July 1, 2024, and apply to all institutions governed by the state's higher education boards.