By: Nelson S.B. No. 141

(In the Senate - Filed December 5, 2006; January 29, 2007, read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Higher Education; March 28, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute from Committee on Education by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 28, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 141 By: West

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a feasibility study regarding joint health science courses at a public or private institution of higher education.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0661 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.0661. FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING JOINT HEALTH SCIENCE COURSES. (a) The 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, shall 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) Not later than September 30, 2008, the board shall complete the study required by Subsection (a) and based on the study shall submit to the governing body of each public or private institution of higher education that offers health science or health profession education programs, the governor, and the legislature a report that includes any recommendations of the board or the other study participants concerning:

(1) whether it is feasible to provide courses described by Subsection (a);

(2) which, if any, such courses should be offered;

(3) which, if any, public or private institutions of higher education or which types of such institutions should offer the courses; and

(4) any other relevant issues the study participants determine would be helpful in making decisions concerning the feasibility of offering joint health science courses.

(c) This section expires January 1, 2009.

SECTION 2. 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.

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