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.