SRC-TAG S.B. 253 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 253
By: Staples
Subcommittee on Higher Education
6/29/2003
Enrolled

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Health (TDH) has the responsibility for
licensing and regulating youth camps.   Since institution of higher
education conduct summer activities on their campus,  they are considered
to be "camps" and therefore can be regulated by TDH.  S.B. 253 amends the
Health and Safety Code to exempt a facility or program operated by or on
the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent
institution of higher education from the provision the Texas Youth Camp
Safety and Health Act (Health and Safety Code, Chapter 141).  This bill
prevents duplicative measures taken with additional inspections by the
TDH, because institution of higher education are already required to meet
local health and safety regulations as well as accreditation standards.

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 or on the campus of an institution of
higher education or a private or independent institution of higher
education as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, that
is regularly inspected by one or more local governmental entities for
compliance with health and safety standards.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.