Sec. 51.936. HAZING. (a) Subchapter F, Chapter 37, applies to a postsecondary educational institution under this section in the same manner as that subchapter applies to a public or private high school.

(b) For purposes of this section, "postsecondary educational institution" means:

(1) an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003;

(2) a private or independent institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003; or

(3) a private postsecondary educational institution as defined by Section 61.302.

(c) Not later than the 14th day before the first class day of each fall or spring semester, each postsecondary educational institution shall distribute to each student enrolled at the institution:

(1) a summary of the provisions of Subchapter F, Chapter 37; and

(2) a copy of, or an electronic link to a copy of, the report required under Subsection (c-1).

(c-1) Each postsecondary educational institution shall develop and post in a prominent location on the institution's Internet website a report on hazing committed on or off campus by an organization registered with or recognized by the institution. The report:

(1) must include information regarding each disciplinary action taken by the institution against an organization for hazing, and each conviction of hazing under Section 37.153 by an organization, during the three years preceding the date on which the report is issued or updated, including:

(A) the name of the organization disciplined or convicted;

(B) the date on which the incident occurred or the citation was issued, if applicable;

(C) the date on which the institution's investigation into the incident, if any, was initiated;

(D) a general description of:

(i) the incident;

(ii) the violations of the institution's code of conduct or the criminal charges, as applicable;

(iii) the findings of the institution or court; and

(iv) any sanctions imposed by the institution, or any fines imposed by the court, on the organization; and

(E) the date on which the institution's disciplinary process was resolved or on which the conviction became final;

(2) must be updated to include information regarding each disciplinary process or conviction not later than the 30th day after the date on which the disciplinary process is resolved or the conviction becomes final, as applicable; and

(3) may not include personally identifiable student information and must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).

(c-2) Each postsecondary educational institution shall provide to each student who attends the institution's student orientation a notice regarding the nature and availability of the report required under Subsection (c-1), including the report's Internet website address.

(d) If the institution publishes a general catalogue, student handbook, or similar publication, it shall publish a summary of the provisions of Subchapter F, Chapter 37, in each edition of the publication.

(e) Section 1.001(a) does not limit the application of this section to postsecondary educational institutions supported in whole or in part by state tax funds.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 18, eff. May 30, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 594 (H.B. 1791), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371 (S.B. 38), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.