HB 1508 Summary

• Prohibits state-supported institutions of higher learning and public community colleges from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, religion, or national origin in recruiting, hiring, promotions, or admissions; bans quota systems for these purposes.

• Denies admission and publicly funded postsecondary education benefits (grants, scholarships, financial aid) to individuals not lawfully present in the United States; requires boards to verify lawful presence through federal channels under 8 USCS Section 1373(c).

• Establishes minimum admission standards for public postsecondary institutions based on high school GPA and standardized test scores (ACT/SAT); permits institutions to admit up to 10% of new students as exceptions to these standards with individual success plans required.

• Classifies noncitizens as out-of-state for tuition purposes unless legally present with evidence warranting in-state classification; exempts athletic scholarships from these restrictions and residency preferences.

• Requires students to attest to accuracy of residency information; makes falsification a misdemeanor punishable by up to $10,000 fine and one year jail time; authorizes loss of public funding for institutions violating these provisions.

• Amends state employment law to prohibit discrimination based on political opinions, religion, sexual orientation, age, sex, national origin, or race; establishes conflict-of-interest procedures for state employees holding remunerative elective office.