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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 253
78R1248 MCK-FBy: Staples
Education Committee
2/25/2003
As Filed


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.   As proposed, 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.  

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