Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1138 by Duncan (Relating to risk management programs for members and advisors of student organizations at public and private postsecondary educational institutions and to certain insurance requirements for fraternities.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require postsecondary educational institutions, excluding health-related institutions and institutions that only offer upper-division, graduate level, or professional courses, to offer a risk management program to members of student organizations registered at the institution at least once during each academic year. Unless the institution requires each student organization registed at the institution to have representatives of the organization attend the program, the institution shall adopt a policy that specifies one or more student organizations or types of student organizations that are required to have representatives attend. The program must address possession and use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs, hazing, sexual abuse and harassment, fire and other safety issues, travel to a destination outside the area in which the institution is located, behavior at parties and other events held by the student organization, and adoption by a student organization of a risk management policy. The institution would be required to provide notice of the program to student organizations and the institution can impose reasonable sanctions on students who fail to attend the program. The bill will take effect September 1, 2007 with changes to the fall 2008 semester. Higher education institutions would implement provisions of this bill within current resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
454 Department of Insurance, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 758 Texas State University System, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration