Relating to student access to certain academic records; authorizing a fee.

HB 538 allows Texas postsecondary institutions (like colleges and career schools) to release student transcripts and certificates of completion to students who haven’t paid their tuition, but only under specific conditions. To qualify, students must not have enrolled at the institution for at least five years, provide proof of a job application or intent to enroll elsewhere, and show they’ve tried to pay through a payment plan. The transcript or certificate must be sent directly to the employer or another school, and institutions may charge a uniform reasonable fee for this service, though they can offer lower fees to certain groups based on non-financial criteria. This bill directly affects students seeking to transfer schools or secure employment and the institutions that manage their academic records.