SRC-MWN, S.B. 31 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 31
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
5/18/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Dormitory residents face a high risk of contracting bacterial meningitis
because of crowded living environments. S.B. 31 requires that all college
and university students be provided with information regarding the risks,
symptoms, and vaccine for bacterial meningitis and the availability of a
vaccine to students through the student health center.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51Z, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9191,
as follows: 

Sec. 51.9191. BACTERIAL MENINGITIS INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS. (a)
Defines "institution of higher education," "private or independent
institution of higher education," and "new student."  

(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (coordinating
board) to prescribe procedures by which each institution of higher
education will provide information relating to bacterial meningitis to new
students of the institution. Requires that the procedures provide for the
information to be provided in a brochure or other manner so that the
information is reasonably likely to come to the attention of each student.
Requires the coordinating board to prescribe the form and content of the
information. Requires the information to cover certain areas.  

(c) Requires the coordinating board to consult with the Texas Department of
Health in prescribing the content of the information to be provided to
students under this section. Requires the coordinating board to establish
an advisory committee to assist the coordinating board in the initial
implementation of this section. Requires the advisory committee to include
at least two members who are students at public or private institutions of
higher education.  

(d) Authorizes an institution of higher education, with written consent of
the coordinating board, to provide the information required by this section
to new students of the institution by a method different from the method
prescribed by the coordinating board under Subsection (b) if the
coordinating board determines that method would be effective in bringing
the information to the attention of all new students of the institution.  

(e) Requires each institution of higher education to make reasonable
efforts to obtain from each new student of the institution a confirmation
signed or acknowledged by the student that the student has received the
information required to be provided to the student under this section and
requires the institution to retain the confirmation for not  less than two
years after the student first enrolls at the institution.  

(f) Requires the coordinating board and the Texas Department of Health to
encourage private or independent institutions of higher education to
provide the information prescribed by Subsection (b) to all new students of
those institutions. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 38, Education Code, by adding Section 38.0025, as
follows: 

Sec. 38.0025. DISSEMINATION OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS INFORMATION. (a)
Requires the Texas Education Agency (agency) to prescribe procedures by
which each school district is required to provide information relating to
bacterial meningitis to its students and their parents each school year.
Requires the procedures to ensure that the information is reasonably likely
to come to the attention of the parents of each student. Requires the
agency to prescribe the form and content of the information. Requires the
information to cover certain criteria.  

(b) Requires the agency to consult with the Texas Department of Health in
prescribing the content of the information to be provided to students under
this section. Requires the agency to establish an advisory committee to
assist the agency in the initial implementation of this section. Requires
the advisory committee to include at least two members who are parents of
students at public schools in this state. Authorizes a school district,
with the written consent of the agency, to provide information required by
this section to its students and their parents by a method different from
the method prescribed by the agency under Subsection (a) if the agency
determines the method would be effective in bringing the information to the
attention of the parents of each student.  

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001. Provides that
Section 38.0025, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning
with the 2001-2002 school year. Requires the coordinating board to
implement Section 51.9191, Education Code, as added by this Act, as
necessary to ensure that the information required by that section is
provided to new students of institutions of higher education entering those
institutions on or after January 1, 2002.