SRC-JEC S.B. 1009 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1009
78R7401 JSA-FBy: West, Royce
Subcommittee on Higher Education
4/14/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is a significant gap between the percentages of racial
minorities in Texas medical schools and their percentages in the
population at large.  This gap contributes to negative public health
consequences through less effective doctor-patient communication and
delayed medical services.  As proposed, S.B. 1009  establishes an
undergraduate medical academy at Prairie View A&M University. The academy
would serve as a statewide magnet for students interested in medicine and
provide intensive preparation for the medical school application process.
It would also interact and work closely with medical schools in the state
to keep abreast of the skills and knowledge those schools are seeking in
applicants. 

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Education Code, by adding
Section 87.108, as follows: 

Sec. 87.108.  PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL ACADEMY.  (a)
Establishes the Prairie View A&M Undergraduate Medical Academy at Prairie
View A&M University. 

(b)  Provides that the organization, control, and management of the
academy is vested in the board of regents of The Texas A&M University
System. 

(c)  Provides that the employment of personnel by and the operating budget
of the institute are subject to the approval of the board of regents.
Provides that an employee of the academy is an employee of Prairie View
A&M University. 

(d)  Provides that the purpose of the academy is to prepare students for
medical school. 

(e)  Provides that a student is eligible to apply for admission into the
academy if the student meets certain criteria. 
  
  (f)  Requires the academy to provide certain services.

(g)  Requires the academy to consult with the medical schools in Texas to
ensure that its curriculum and practices are consistent with current
medical school needs and requirements. 

(h)  Requires the academy to enter into cooperative programs, as
appropriate, with  medical schools in Texas to help achieve the goals of
the academy. 

(i)  Requires the academy to incorporate into its curriculum current
medical school educational practices, such as small group tutorials using
problem-based instruction. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.