# Tex. Education Code § 51B.151: SCREENING OF FOREIGN RESEARCHERS REQUIRED

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.151

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Education Code § 51B.151
- **Heading:** SCREENING OF FOREIGN RESEARCHERS REQUIRED
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code ed / Chapter 51B / Section 51B.151

## Text

(a) Before offering a person employment for a research or research-related support position at the institution or granting a person access to research data or activities or other sensitive data of the institution, an institution of higher education must screen the person as provided by this subchapter if the person:

(1) is a citizen of a foreign country and is not a permanent resident of the United States; or

(2) is affiliated with an institution or program, or has at least one year of employment or training, in a foreign adversary, other than employment or training by an agency of the United States.

(b) A screening under this section must include a background check to determine if the person has any ties to a foreign adversary that would prevent the person from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the institution of higher education and research data or activities or other sensitive data of the institution. The council may establish a risk-based framework for the screening of a person under this subchapter, which may prescribe low-risk circumstances under which the screening may be waived.

(c) If an institution of higher education procures a third party to conduct a background check under Subsection (b), the institution may consult with the Department of Public Safety and the council in determining whether the third party is qualified to conduct a background check that meets the requirements of that subsection.

(d) An institution of higher education may screen additional persons as provided by this subchapter for a position described by Subsection (a) at the institution's discretion.

(e) An institution of higher education may waive the screening requirement under Subsection (a) for a person who possesses an active United States government security clearance issued by a federal agency.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.001 § 51B.001. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.001.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.002 § 51B.002. RULES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.002.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.051 § 51B.051. GIFT FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.051.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.052 § 51B.052. INVESTIGATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.052.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.101 § 51B.101. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.101.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.102 § 51B.102. CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS PROHIBITED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.102.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.103 § 51B.103. PROHIBITIONS IN RELATION TO CERTAIN FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON STUDENT ORGANIZATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.103.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.151 § 51B.151. SCREENING OF FOREIGN RESEARCHERS REQUIRED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.151.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.152 § 51B.152.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.152.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.153 § 51B.153. RESEARCH SECURITY OFFICE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.153.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.201 § 51B.201. FOREIGN TRAVEL.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.201.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.202 § 51B.202. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS AND REPORT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.202.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.251 § 51B.251. REVIEW OF EDUCATION SOFTWARE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.251.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 51B.301 § 51B.301. ENFORCEMENT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.301.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C51B_S51B.151. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.