Texas Bill Regarding College Student Organizations (HB 428)

HB 428 would prohibit a college or university from denying benefits to a religious student organization.

The bill would prohibit state institutions of higher education from taking action against a religious student organization or denying the organization any benefit generally available to other student organizations at the institution on the basis that the religious student organization requires the organization’s leaders or members to:

• adhere to or comply with the organization’s sincerely held religious beliefs or standards of conduct; or
• be committed to furthering the organization’s religious missions.

The bill would create a cause of action for a student or religious student association aggrieved by a violation of this provision. The aggrieved party may seek appropriate relief, including monetary damages. An aggrieved party also may assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in a civil or administrative proceeding brought against the aggrieved party.

People