Higher Education

SB 646 creates a program to repay education loans for mental health professionals working in underserved areas of Texas. It defines eligible professionals as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other licensed providers who complete 1-3 consecutive years of practice in a state-designated mental health shortage area and provide services to Medicaid recipients. The bill requires applicants to apply through the Texas State Board of Examiners and specifies that repayment assistance is tied to service in designated shortage regions. This policy, effective September 1, 2025, aims to address workforce shortages by reducing education debt for providers serving Medicaid patients in underserved communities.

SB 1032 expands eligibility for Texas universities to join the Governor's University Research Initiative by including private and independent colleges alongside public institutions. It specifically prohibits participating schools from using state research funds to recruit distinguished researchers from other eligible institutions or private colleges. The bill modifies two sections of the Education Code to define "eligible institution" broadly and restrict grant usage for recruitment. These changes apply only to new agreements entered after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025).

SB 2995 requires Texas public colleges and universities to provide prospective students with clear, plain-language information about how private scholarships or other factors might reduce their existing financial aid ("financial aid displacement"). The bill mandates that institutions include a mandatory advisory in admission applications or via a link, featuring a prominent warning about aid reduction, common reasons for it, and practical steps to maximize aid. This advisory must also include application timelines, specific recommendations to avoid aid reduction, and contact details for financial aid support. The law, effective September 1, 2025, aims to increase transparency for students navigating financial aid processes.

SB 800 requires Texas public universities to provide new undergraduate students (freshmen and transfer students) with a mandatory orientation session about campus policies on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The session must be completed before or during the first semester and include a video listing Title IX coordinators, office contact details, and available support services. This law applies to all public institutions of higher education beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

SB 1401 creates the Texas Mental Health Profession Pipeline Program, managed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to help students transfer from public junior colleges to four-year institutions for mental health careers. It directly affects public junior college students and participating universities by guaranteeing they won’t lose credits when transferring, can earn a bachelor’s degree in under two years, and get automatic admission to advanced programs if they meet academic requirements. The program covers pathways to licensure for psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals. It requires universities to partner with junior colleges to design clear transfer pathways, ensuring seamless credit transfers and faster degree completion.