By: Hughes  S.B. No. 16          (In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2023; March 13, 2023, read   first time and referred to Committee on Education; March 30, 2023,   reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the   following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 3; March 30, 2023, sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 16 By:  Middleton     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to the purpose of public institutions of higher education   and a prohibition on compelling students enrolled at those   institutions to adopt certain beliefs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Education Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 50 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 50. HIGHER EDUCATION PURPOSE          Sec. 50.001.  HIGHER EDUCATION PURPOSE. A public   institution of higher education must be committed to creating an   environment of:                (1)  intellectual inquiry and academic freedom so that   all students are equipped for participation in the workforce and   the betterment of society; and                (2)  intellectual diversity so that all students are   respected and educated regardless of race, sex, or ethnicity or   social, political, or religious background or belief.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.982 to read as follows:          Sec. 51.982.  PROHIBITION ON COMPELLING CERTAIN   BELIEFS.  (a)  In this section, "institution of higher education"   has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.          (b)  A faculty member of an institution of higher education   may not compel or attempt to compel a student enrolled at the   institution to adopt a belief that any race, sex, or ethnicity or   social, political, or religious belief is inherently superior to   any other race, sex, ethnicity, or belief.          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, 2023.     * * * * *