Texas educators and students deserve classrooms free from political censorship, universities that protect academic freedom, and schools that foster open inquiry and debate. Yet, recent legislative attacks — through tenure rollbacks, bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, and curriculum restrictions — have weakened Texas public education and made it harder to recruit and retain top educators.
Now, lawmakers have introduced key bills to restore academic freedom, ensuring that teachers can teach, students can learn, and Texas universities can remain competitive. The following bills are aligned with and support the right to academic freedom, one of 10 essential rights our members included in our union’s legislative agenda: the Educator’s Bill of Rights.
89th Legislature | Key Bills That Support Academic Freedom
✔ HB 393 by Rep. John Bucy: Repeals SB 17’s DEI ban, allowing colleges and universities to reinstate programs that support first-generation students, mentorship initiatives, and campus diversity efforts. SB 17 forced the closure of DEI offices, leading to staff layoffs, lost student services, and reduced grant funding. HB 393 would restore these critical resources.
✔ SB 579 by Sen. Royce West: Exempts certain student scholarships from SB 17’s DEI ban, ensuring that financial aid programs serving underrepresented students can continue. Many scholarships previously dedicated to first-generation, low-income, and minority students have been discontinued or altered under SB 17’s restrictions. SB 579 restores these opportunities.
✔ SB 580 by Sen. Royce West: Protects research funding from SB 17’s DEI restrictions, allowing faculty to continue important academic work on race, gender, and social issues without violating the law. SB 17’s broad language has caused uncertainty for grant programs, with researchers fearing retaliation for studying critical social topics. SB 580 clarifies that academic research should not be subject to political interference.
✔ SB 184 by Sen. José Menéndez: Provides exemptions to SB 17’s DEI restrictions, specifically allowing faculty to teach and research topics related to race, gender, and social issues without violating the law. Under SB 17, professors have been forced to alter syllabi, avoid certain discussions, or leave Texas institutions entirely. SB 184 protects academic integrity in the classroom.
✔ HB 218 by Rep. Ron Reynolds: Restores tenure protections at public universities. Texas recently weakened tenure, making it easier to fire faculty for discussing controversial subjects. Without tenure, educators lack the protections needed to conduct research and teach freely. HB 218 would reinstate tenure protections, ensuring long-term stability and academic freedom.
✔ HB 181 by Rep. Suleman Lalani: Requires colleges to notify students of their eligibility for Medicaid and health benefits. Many low-income and first-generation students are unaware of the health care programs available to them. HB 181 would help students stay healthy and succeed academically.
✔ SB 187 by Sen. César Blanco: Establishes a statewide discrimination and harassment reporting system in higher education. This bill ensures that students and faculty have a clear, accountable process to report discrimination, protecting academic environments from hostile and unsafe conditions.