BILL ANALYSIS
By: Nelson
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, there is no law that directly addresses joint health classes for health professions students. This bill commissions a study that would seek to remedy an apparent lack of professors for basic health science courses and provide health professionals with a greater understanding of general health science, fostering greater understanding and cooperation between the different health professions.
S.B. 141 directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, members of the Health Professions Council, and representatives of certain institutions of higher education to study the feasibility of health professions students taking combined health science classes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0661, as follows:
Sec.61.0661. FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING JOINT HEALTH SCIENCE COURSES. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), in consultation with the administrative head or the designee of the administrative head of each state agency that is a member of or otherwise represented on the Health Professions Council and with appropriate representatives of private or independent institutions of higher education, to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of a public or private institution of higher education providing courses in which students enrolled in different health science or health profession education programs may enroll to study basic health science curricula together.
(b) Specifies a timeframe for the completion of the study as well as to whom a recommendation report, based on the study, is to be submitted. Sets forth content requirements for information to be included in the report.
(c) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2009.
SECTION 2. Effective date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS
This amendment makes the study called for by this bill permissive instead of mandatory. As revised, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with certain others, may conduct a study regarding joint health science courses.