By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 110

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to dissemination of information concerning immunization against human papillomavirus.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 38.0026 to read as follows:

Sec. 38.0026. DISSEMINATION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFORMATION. (a) The agency shall prescribe procedures by which each school district shall provide information to parents and guardians of female students relating to the connection between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. The procedures must ensure that the information is reasonably likely to come to the attention of the parents or guardians of each female student.

(b) The information provided to parents and guardians in Subsection (a) must be similar in form and content to the information required under Section 161.0102, Health and Safety Code.

(c) A school district, with the written consent of the agency, may provide the information required by this section to its students and their parents or guardians by a method different from the method prescribed by the agency under Subsection (a) if the agency determines that the method would be effective in bringing the information to the attention of the parents or guardians of each female student.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0102 to read as follows:

Sec. 161.0102. INCREASE AWARENESS OF IMMUNIZATION AGAINST HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS. (a) With existing resources, the department shall collect and disseminate information to parents, managing conservators, and guardians of female children relating to the connection between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer that is unbiased, medically and scientifically accurate, and peer reviewed. The department shall prescribe the form and content of the information.

(b) The information on the connection between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer must cover:

(1) the risk factors for developing cervical cancer, the symptoms of the disease, how it may be diagnosed, and its possible consequences if untreated;

(2) the connection between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, how human papillomavirus is transmitted, how transmission may be prevented, and the relative risk of contracting human papillomavirus for primary and secondary school students;

(3) the availability and effectiveness of vaccination against human papillomavirus and a brief description of the possible side effects of vaccination; and

(4) sources of additional information regarding the disease, including any appropriate office of a school district and the appropriate office of the Department of State Health Services.

(c) The department shall increase coordination among public and private local, regional, and statewide entities that have an interest in providing information on the human papillomavirus vaccine.

SECTION 3. 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, 2007.