78R1604 DLF-F

By:  Gutierrez                                                    H.B. No. 697



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to procedures and standards for providing health care 
services in public schools.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Health and Safety Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER K.  SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CARE SERVICES
	Sec. 12.171.  PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS.  The board by rule 
shall recommend procedures and minimum standards for providing 
quality health care services to school-aged children in public 
elementary and secondary schools.  The recommendations must 
identify available appropriate funding mechanisms.
	Sec. 12.172.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  (a)  The board shall 
appoint a school health advisory committee to assist the board in 
performing its duties under this subchapter.  The advisory 
committee consists of the following 16 members:
		(1)  two physicians who provide health care services to 
school-aged children;
		(2)  two registered nurses or physician assistants 
providing health care services in public elementary or secondary 
schools;
		(3)  two public school administrators;                                 
		(4)  two members representing entities involved with 
the health of school-aged children;
		(5)  two members who are mental health professionals 
who have at least a master's degree; and
		(6)  six public members.                                               
	(b)  The public members of the school health advisory 
committee must include parents of school-aged children and at least 
one parent of a child with special health care needs.
	(c)  The school health advisory committee is subject to 
Chapter 2110, Government Code.
	Sec. 12.173.  DISTRIBUTION AND CONSIDERATION OF 
RECOMMENDATIONS.  (a)  Not less frequently than once in each state 
fiscal biennium, the department shall notify each school district 
in this state of the availability of the recommended procedures and 
minimum standards adopted under Section 12.171.
	(b)  The governing body of each school district shall 
consider implementing, but is not required to implement, the 
procedures and minimum standards recommended under this 
subchapter.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.