BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1745
                                       By: Turner, S. (Zaffirini)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                         05-10-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver disease or liver cancer and
is highly infectious.  Traditionally, public health strategies for
controlling hepatitis B have focused on immunizing persons at risk
of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.  However, this
strategy has proven ineffective in stemming the spread of hepatitis
B.  Public experts now believe that the most effective long-term
strategy is to immunize children starting at an early age.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1745 requires the immunization for hepatitis B of
certain students.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Texas Board of Health under SECTION 2 of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 2.09(a), Education Code, to prohibit
certain persons from being admitted to any elementary or secondary
school unless the person has been fully immunized against, among
other illnesses, hepatitis B.

SECTION 2. Declares that immunization against hepatitis B is not
required until a date specified in rules adopted by the Texas Board
of Health.  Authorizes the rules to stagger the implementation of
the requirement for immunization against hepatitis B.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.