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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of telehealth programs by public |
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schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.040 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.040. TELEHEALTH PROGRAM. (a) In this section, |
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"telehealth service" means a health care service delivered by a |
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health professional licensed, certified, or otherwise entitled to |
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practice in this state and acting within the scope of the health |
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professional's license, certification, or entitlement to a patient |
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at a different physical location than the health professional using |
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telecommunications or information technology. |
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(b) A school district may establish a telehealth program |
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through which students and employees of the district may receive |
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telehealth services during a school day. |
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(c) Telehealth services provided through a program |
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established under this section: |
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(1) must be provided at no cost to a student or |
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employee of the school district; and |
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(2) may be provided to a student only with the written |
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consent of the student's parent or legal guardian. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |