House Bill No. 291 introduces new regulations regarding medical school admissions, coursework, academic standards, and employment decisions in Texas. It establishes that each medical school must ensure that at least 50% of the coursework required for a medical degree or certificate is graded on a letter scale from A to F or a similar tiered system. Additionally, any revisions to academic standards for awarding degrees or certificates must be submitted to the legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, including a copy of the proposed standards, a statement of reasons for the changes, and the effective date of the new standards.

The bill also prohibits medical schools from granting admission or employment preferences based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, while allowing for bona fide qualifications based on sex that are necessary for the operation of the school. These new admissions criteria will take effect for students enrolling in the fall semester of 2026 and beyond, while previous admissions laws will remain in effect for earlier academic periods. The act will become effective immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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