Inquiries into the criminal and disciplinary history of an applicant for undergraduate admission to a public institution of higher education

Texas House Bill 3452, introduced in 2025, aimed to limit the types of criminal and disciplinary history information that public universities in Texas could request from applicants during the undergraduate admissions process. Specifically, the bill proposed that application forms should not include questions about an applicant's criminal or disciplinary history, except in cases involving serious offenses such as stalking, sex offenses requiring registration, family violence, murder, kidnapping, assault, or pending criminal charges. The bill was introduced by Representative Venton Jones on February 27, 2025, and was referred to the House Higher Education Committee on March 24, 2025. However, it did not progress further and died in committee.

Supporters of HB3452 argued that the bill would promote fairer admissions practices by preventing applicants from being unduly penalized for past mistakes that are unrelated to their academic potential. They contended that by focusing on an applicant's qualifications rather than their criminal history, universities could foster a more inclusive and diverse student body. Advocates also suggested that this approach could reduce recidivism by providing individuals with criminal records better access to higher education opportunities.

Opponents of HB3452 expressed concerns that limiting access to applicants' criminal and disciplinary histories could compromise campus safety. They argued that universities have a responsibility to ensure a secure environment for all students and staff, and that access to such information is crucial for making informed admissions decisions. Critics also feared that the bill could lead to legal liabilities for institutions if individuals with undisclosed serious offenses were admitted and subsequently posed a threat on campus.