HB 288 — Relating to medical school admissions, coursework, academic standards, and employment decisions in this state.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

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This bill amends 3 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 51.3095, Education Code, Section 51.8425, Education Code, Section 51.9247, Education Code.

• Section 51.3095, Education Code

  Sec. 51.3095. CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSEWORK AND ACADEMIC STANDARDS REVISIONS. (a) In this section, "medical school" means: (1) a medical school as defined by Section 61.501; or (2) any other institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, or school, department, or college of such an institution, that awards medical degrees. (b) Each medical school: (1) shall ensure that any coursework offered in the curriculum required for a medical degree or certificate assesses a student's performance on the coursework based on the assignment of a letter grade from A to F; and (2) may not offer coursework described by Subdivision (1), including any assignment or other component of the coursework, on a pass/fail basis. (c) Except as required to comply with state or federal law, a medical school may not revise its academic standards for the award of a degree or certificate unless the medical school submits to the legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: (1) a copy of the proposed standards; (2) a concise general statement of the reasons for the proposed standards; and (3) the date on which the proposed standards would become effective.

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• Section 51.8425, Education Code

  Sec. 51.8425. CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSION. (a) In this section, "medical school" has the meaning assigned by Section 51.3095. (b) In making admissions decisions for a medical degree or certificate program, a medical school shall consider an applicant's performance on a standardized test appropriate for the program that focuses on knowledge of and critical thinking applicable to science and medical practice, except that the applicant's performance on the standardized test may not be used as the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant. (c) Except as required to comply with state or federal law, a medical school may not revise its academic standards for the admission of a student to the medical school or to a degree or certificate program unless the medical school submits to the legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: (1) a copy of the proposed standards; (2) a concise general statement of the reasons for the proposed standards; and (3) the date on which the proposed standards would become effective.

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• Section 51.9247, Education Code

  Sec. 51.9247. CONSIDERATION OF RACE, SEX, COLOR, ETHNICITY, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN IN MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AND EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "medical school" has the meaning assigned by Section 51.3095. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a medical school may not grant preference on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to an applicant: (1) for admission to the medical school or to a degree or certificate program; or (2) for employment by the medical school. (c) Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting bona fide qualifications based on sex that are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of a medical school.

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Action History

1. August 22, 2025

   Filed

Sponsors

• Mike Olcott · Primary

Subjects