BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3299

By: Allison

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Maintaining good physical and mental health is imperative in becoming a successful student and making positive life choices. Currently, the required enrichment curriculum for public schools in Texas does not emphasize the relationship between physical and mental health. Advocates suggest that including instruction on this point will help students realize the benefits of ensuring they tend not only to their body but also to their mind. H.B. 3299 seeks to require school districts that offer K-12 education to emphasize the relationship between physical and mental health as part of their health curriculum.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3299 amends the Education Code to require the health component of the required enrichment curriculum for each public school district that offers kindergarten through grade 12 to emphasize the relationship between physical and mental health. That requirement applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.