Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2721 by Gutierrez (Relating to establishing an acanthosis nigricans screening program in certain public and private schools.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would expand a requirement for screening certain school children for acanthosis nigricans, a skin plaque on the neck or axillary (armpit) area that may indicate the presence of high insulin levels and/or a potential to develop Type 2 diabetes.Current law requires screenings in school districts located within EducationServiceCenter regions 1, 2, 3, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20.Under the provisions of the bill, this would be expanded to include students in regions 4, 10, and 11.Currently, the Texas Department of Health is charged with administering and coordinating the screening program.Current law requires the screening to be performed at the same time as hearing and vision screening or spinal screening.School districts would be required to ensure the screenings are conducted and to maintain screening records for each student in attendance.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Assuming a cost of screening and data/reporting requirements of about $1 per student, the annual local cost associated with this bill would be roughly $1.2 million, or $1 per student enrolled in public schools located in EducationServiceCenter regions 4, 10, and 11.
Source Agencies:
501 Department of Health, 701 Central Education Agency