SRC-CTC S.B. 575 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 575 77R2757 MCK-FBy: Staples Education 3/5/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Department of Health (department) has the responsibility for licensing and regulating youth camps. In recent years, personnel from some of the department's regional offices have asserted that private or independent institutions of higher education that provide activities for young people on campus during summer months or other periods of low demand should be regulated by the department. However, private or independent institutions of higher education have the general characteristics of colleges and universities and should not be considered "camps." As proposed, S.B. 575 creates an exception to remove such institutions of higher education from regulation under the Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act. 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 141, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 141.0021, as follows: Sec. 141.0021. EXEMPTION. Provides that this chapter does not apply to a facility or program operated by a private or independent institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.