SRC-CTC C.S.S.B. 580 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 580
By: Van de Putte
Education
3/22/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law requires local School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs)
to focus narrowly on human sexuality education.  These laws are also vague
and open to interpretation.  C.S.S.B. 580 clarifies the requirements for
SHACs so that they focus on all issues relevant to school health, not just
human sexuality education. 

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 Section 28.004, Education Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 28.004.  New heading: LOCAL SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
AND HEALTH EDUCATION INSTRUCTION.  Requires the board of trustees of each
school district (board) to establish a local school health education
advisory council (council) to assist the district in ensuring that local
community values are reflected in the district's health education
instruction.  Provides that a school district must consider the
recommendations of the council before changing the district's health
education curriculum or instruction.  Sets forth the duties of the council.
Requires the board to appoint members to the council.  Provides that the
majority of the members must be parents of students enrolled in the
district and requires the board to appoint at least one person from each of
certain enumerated groups. Authorizes the board to appoint to the council a
representative from other groups not specified.  Deletes wording relating
to the establishment of a local health education advisory council, its
duties, its membership, and the effect of its recommendations.  Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2001-2002
school year. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Amends As Filed S.B. 580 by providing that one of the duties of
the local health education advisory council is recommending health
education curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels that may include
a coordinated health education program designed to prevent obesity,
cardiovascular disease, and Type II diabetes through coordination of
certain services and instruction. 

SECTION 2.  Amends As Filed S.B. 580 by deleting proposed SECTION 2 and
redesignating SECTION 3 as SECTION 2. 

SECTION 3.  Amends As Filed S.B. 580 by redesignating SECTION 4 as SECTION
3.