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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to public school policy regarding the prevention of heat |
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stress. |
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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 38.0211 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.0211. HEAT STRESS PREVENTION POLICY. (a) In this |
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section, "wet bulb globe temperature" means a comprehensive |
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measurement of environmental conditions that accounts for ambient |
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temperature, relative humidity, wind, and solar radiation. |
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(b) This section applies to: |
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(1) each public school in this state; and |
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(2) an extracurricular activity sponsored or |
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sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League and conducted |
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outdoors, including practice, training, participation, and |
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competition. |
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(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school |
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shall adopt and implement a policy regarding heat safety for |
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students participating in extracurricular activities conducted |
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outdoors. The policy must: |
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(1) establish criteria for determining satisfactory |
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or unsatisfactory conditions for outdoor activity based on wet bulb |
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globe temperature levels; |
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(2) require each school to monitor the risk of heat |
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stress before an outdoor activity begins and determine whether |
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conditions are satisfactory or unsatisfactory in accordance with |
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criteria established under Subdivision (1); and |
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(3) require each school to modify or suspend outdoor |
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activity as necessary if conditions are determined to be |
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unsatisfactory under Subdivision (1). |
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(d) This section does not: |
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(1) waive any immunity from liability of a school |
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district or open-enrollment charter school or of district or |
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charter school officers or employees; or |
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(2) create any liability for a cause of action against |
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a school district or open-enrollment charter school or against |
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district or charter school officers or employees. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 |
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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, 2023. |