BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3618
By: Raymond et al. (Zaffirini)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Student populations along the Texas-Mexico border suffer from high rates of Type 2 diabetes and are at an increased risk for becoming obese. Hospitalization rates relating to this condition in the Texas-Mexico border region are very high for Hispanics.
According to a report by the Social Health & Research Center in San Antonio, more than thirty percent of all Laredo elementary school children suffer from obesity. An evidence-based and culturally appropriate coordinated health school program is necessary in border communities to educate the area about the unhealthy trends that are occurring.
H.B. 3618 creates a bilingual coordinated health program in certain school districts along the border. The bill requires the commissioner of education to adopt a health program that will coordinate social systems that influence physical education, health class, food service, and parent/family awareness.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 38.013, Education Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:
(d) Requires the commissioner of education in consultation with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to adopt criteria to require that at least one program available under Subsection (a) (regarding a coordinated health program for certain students) be designed to prevent and detect obesity and Type 2 diabetes by taking into account the needs of a school district described by Section 38.0131 that has a student population identified by the commissioner as at risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Requires a program designated under this subsection to provide certain items and curriculum.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, by adding Section 38.0131, as follows:
Sec. 38.0131. REQUIRED COORDINATED HEALTH PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. (a) Provides that this section applies only to a school district located in a certain municipality.
(b) Requires a school district to which this section applies to implement a coordinated health program that meets the criteria of Section 38.013(d).
(c) Requires the district, in the first year a school district implements a program under this section, to report the measurements of student height and weight and the progress of a student under the program to the entity that administers the program. Requires the administering entity to evaluate and analyze the measurements to determine the effectiveness of the program in the first year.
(d) Requires DSHS, from money appropriated for that purpose, to distribute money to each school district required to implement a coordinated health program under this section to cover the costs associated with the program.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 38, Education Code, by adding Section 38.0631, as follows:
Sec. 38.0631. GRANT-WRITING COORDINATION PROGRAM. (a) Requires DSHS to employ one person as a grant writer to assist and coordinate with school districts located in the Texas-Mexico border region in obtaining grants and other funds for school-based health centers.
(b) Authorizes a grant writer employed under this section to secure a grant or other funds on behalf of the state for a school-based health center.
(c) Authorizes funds obtained by the use of a grant writer employed under this section to be used only to acquire, construct, or improve facilities for a school-based health center, purchase or lease equipment or materials for a school-based health center, or pay the salary or employment benefits of a person who is employed to work exclusively in a school-based health center.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.