BILL ANALYSIS Public Health Committee H.B. 1231 By: Ramsay 03-07-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Chapter 37 of the Health and Safety Code states the provisions for establishing a program to detect abnormal spinal curvature in children. Currently, the program mandates spinal screening for children in grades 6 through 9 attending public or private schools. Based on a recommendation of the Texas Department of Health, this bill moves the control of spinal screening to the local level by making it voluntary instead of mandatory. PURPOSE This bill stipulates that the Board of Health, in cooperation with the Central Education Agency, must adopt rules for voluntary spinal screening. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.001(b), Health and Safety Code, by striking through mandatory and inserting voluntary. SECTION 2. Section 37.002, Health and Safety Code, addressing compliance with screening requirements, is repealed. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 1231 was considered in a public hearing on March 7, 1995. Testifying for the bill were Representative Tom Ramsay; and Dr. Clift Price, representing the Texas Pediatric Society and Texas Medical Association. No one testified against the bill. Testifying neutrally on the bill was Susan Penfield, representing the Texas Department of Health. A motion to report H.B. 1231, unamended, back to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed carried with a vote of 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 4 Absent.