HBA-JLV H.B. 1151 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1151 By: Raymond Higher Education 3/5/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Bacterial meningitis is a contagious and potentially severe infection spread by direct contact, such as coughing, sneezing, kissing, and immediate sharing of unwashed eating utensils. Currently, dormitory residents may be at a higher risk for contracting bacterial meningitis because of crowded living environments and lack of information about the disease and how it spreads. House Bill 1151 requires that all college and university students be provided with information regarding the risks, symptoms, and treatments for bacterial meningitis in a brochure or other format so that the information is reasonably likely to come to the attention of each student. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1151 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to prescribe procedures by which each institution of higher education is required to provide information relating to bacterial meningitis to new students of the institution. The bill also requires the board to furnish the information in a brochure or other format so that the information is likely to come to the attention of each student. The bill requires the board to prescribe the form and content of the information, and sets forth what the information must cover. The bill requires the board to consult with the Texas Department of Health (TDH) in prescribing the content of information to be provided to students, and to establish an advisory committee to assist the board in implementation of these provisions. The bill requires the board and TDH to encourage private or independent institutions of higher education to provide the information to all new students of those institutions. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.