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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB800

Regular Session

Relating to a public institution of higher education's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking resources and policy orientation.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB800: Government Affairs Overview

SB800 imposes strict operational mandates on all Texas public institutions of higher education, requiring the immediate modification of student ID card templates and the production of specific video assets for freshman orientation. Compliance is mandatory for the 2025-2026 academic year, meaning procurement and production workflows must be initiated immediately to meet Fall 2025 deadlines.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Critical
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Institution Title IX Offices • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

Business Impact

Who SB800 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: critical

Significant regulatory changes (effective 2025-09-01). Review with your legal and compliance teams to understand implications.

🎓

Education

Affected business types:

  • School districts
  • Charter schools
  • Private schools
  • Education service providers
View all education legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Orientation Delivery: You must transition from static handbook/slide delivery to a mandatory video format for sexual misconduct policy orientation.
  • 2Staffing: No new hires required, but Title IX Coordinators must assist in scripting the video to ensure accurate legal contact information is presented.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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SB800
Critical
Relating to a public institution of higher education's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking resources and policy orientati...
Critical Compliance Urgency
Requires immediate attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Institution Title IX OfficesTHECB
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
  • Compliance Deadline:
  • Orientation Video: Must be operational for Fall 2025 orientation sessions (likely August 2025).
  • ID Cards: Must be updated for any card issued on or after September 1, 2025.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) may issue implementation rules, but the statute is prescriptive. Do not wait for agency guidance to begin video production or ID card template redesign.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Issue Vendor Change Order: Contact your student ID card provider immediately to add the National Sexual Assault Hotline to the Fall 2025 card template.
  • 2. Script Orientation Video: Draft the script for the orientation video immediately. Ensure it includes the physical location of the Title IX office and specific names of current coordinators.
  • 3. Establish Update Protocol: Design a workflow between HR and the Media Team to ensure the orientation video is edited immediately upon the resignation or hiring of Title IX personnel.
  • 4. Verify LMS Capabilities: Confirm your student portal can track and store "video completion" data for every entering freshman and transfer student.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • ID Card Vendors: Issue immediate change orders to card printing vendors. The back of the card template must now include the National Sexual Assault Hotline in addition to existing suicide prevention numbers.
  • Media Production: If outsourcing orientation content, execute a Statement of Work (SOW) for video production. Crucial: Negotiate a "maintenance rate" clause allowing for low-cost edits when Title IX personnel change, as the video must contain specific names.

Hiring/Training

  • Orientation Delivery: You must transition from static handbook/slide delivery to a mandatory video format for sexual misconduct policy orientation.
  • Staffing: No new hires required, but Title IX Coordinators must assist in scripting the video to ensure accurate legal contact information is presented.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • LMS Auditing: Update your Learning Management System to log student viewership of the mandated video. You must be able to prove an individual student watched the material.
  • Version Control: Maintain a digital archive of the orientation video. Because the law requires specific *names* of coordinators, you must be able to prove which version of the video (and which contact names) a student viewed in a specific semester for liability defense.

Fees & Costs

  • Budget Impact: While the Legislative Budget Board anticipates no significant fiscal impact to the state, institutions must budget internally for video production costs and potential template setup fees charged by ID card vendors.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Video" Definition: The statute mandates a "video" but does not define technical specifications.
  • *Risk:* Using a narrated PowerPoint slide deck may technically comply but could be challenged in court as insufficient "orientation."
  • *Guidance:* Produce a distinct video asset to ensure defensibility.
  • Personnel Turnover: The law requires the video to state the names of the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator.
  • *Risk:* If a coordinator resigns mid-semester, the video becomes non-compliant.
  • *Guidance:* Create the video in "modules." Keep the personnel contact section as a separate, easily editable clip at the end of the video to allow for rapid updates without re-filming the entire production.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Jan 15, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 30, 2025
Passed House
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsEducationEducation--higherEducation--higher--generalEducation--higher--institutions & ProgramsFamilyFamily--family ViolenceSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual MisconductVideotape & Film
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsors

Rep. Terry WilsonRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Sen. Judith Zaffirini

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Related by Topic

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB800

Q

What does Texas SB800 do?

SB800 imposes strict operational mandates on all Texas public institutions of higher education, requiring the immediate modification of student ID card templates and the production of specific video assets for freshman orientation. Compliance is mandatory for the 2025-2026 academic year, meaning procurement and production workflows must be initiated immediately to meet Fall 2025 deadlines.

Q

Who authored SB800?

SB800 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB800 signed into law?

SB800 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB800?

SB800 is enforced by Institution Title IX Offices and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB800?

The regulatory priority for SB800 is rated as "critical". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB800?

The cost impact of SB800 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB800 address?

SB800 addresses topics including education, education--higher, education--higher--general, education--higher--institutions & programs and family.

Q

What are the key dates for SB800?

Key dates for SB800: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026