BILL ANALYSIS
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently in Texas there is not any form of education in regard to skin cancer and the negative effects of the sun and ultraviolet radiation. One in five persons will be diagnosed with some for of skin cancer at some point in their lifetime. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, yet fewer than 33 percent of adults, adolescents, and children routinely use sun protection.
The Environmental Protection Agency currently has a program that is geared towards educating the citizens on the risks of the sun. This program, SunWise, is a voluntary program that has been implemented by many schools around the nation with great success.
HB 2464 will require the Texas State Board of Education to implement a skin cancer prevention program in public schools.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HB 2464 amends the Education Code by instructing the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of State Health Services, to develop a skin cancer prevention program. The program must include facts and statistics regarding the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation through tanning and sunburn, strategies to reduce the risk of skin cancer, and instruction on accessing updated and educational resources on skin cancer information from the Department of State Health Services and other entities.
The State Board of Education shall develop a skin cancer prevention program by May 1, 2006. School districts shall use this skin cancer prevention program beginning with the 2006-2007 school year.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.