Sec. 51.956.  POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH SECURITY.  (a)  In this section, "governing board," "institution of higher education," and "university system" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
(b)  The governing board of each institution of higher education shall establish a policy framework that promotes secure academic research at the institution while mitigating the risk of foreign espionage and interference. The governing board of a university system must establish a separate policy framework for each institution of higher education under the governing board's management and control.
(c)  The policy framework must address:
(1)  achieving the highest level of compliance with applicable ethical, legal, regulatory, contractual, and system standards and requirements for securing and protecting the institution's research portfolios;
(2)  promoting within the institution an organizational culture of compliance with federal requirements to ensure the institution maintains eligibility for federal funding; and
(3)  designating a person to serve as a research security officer responsible for maintaining classified information, maintaining controlled unclassified information, conducting foreign influence reporting, and addressing other issues at the institution associated with the goals of the policy framework.
(d)  For purposes of designating a person to serve as a research security officer under Subsection (c)(3), the governing board of a university system may designate a person to serve in an institutional or system-wide capacity.
(e)  A person designated to serve as a research security officer under Subsection (c)(3) shall attend the annual academic security and counter exploitation program seminar offered by Texas A&M University.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1165 (S.B. 1565), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.