Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change, the official text

H.B. No. 5180

AN ACT

relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a

public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger,

acquisition, or name change.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 51.995 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.995. DIPLOMA DESIGNATION IN EVENT OF MERGER,

ACQUISITION, OR NAME CHANGE. (a) In this section, "institution of

higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) Subject to Subsection (c), if, during the period of a

student's enrollment at an institution of higher education, the

institution merges with or is acquired by another postsecondary

educational institution or changes the institution's name, the

institution shall provide to the student on the student's

graduation from the institution two diplomas as follows:

(1) one diploma in the same style, design, or format,

including symbols or other insignia, designating the original name

of the institution on the date the student initially enrolled; and

(2) one diploma designating the name of the

institution after the merger, acquisition, or name change.

(c) A student is eligible to receive two diplomas under this

section only if the student graduates from the institution of

higher education within six years of the merger, acquisition, or

name change.

(d) An institution of higher education may not charge a

student an additional fee to receive a diploma under this section.

SECTION 2. Section 51.995, Education Code, as added by this

Act, applies beginning with a diploma provided by a public

institution of higher education to a student for the 2025-2026

academic year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 5180 was passed by the House on May 6,

2025, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 5180 was passed by the Senate on May

25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor