BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1322
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
This bill provides to teachers access to accurate and valuable information so that the teachers may meet the individual needs of students and provide a safe and secure learning environment for every student in the classroom. This bill increases the quality of classroom learning environments because many students feel more comfortable and thus able to learn better knowing that the teacher is aware of their unique circumstances. A well-informed teacher can help prevent medical complications. This bill is intended only to make available an easily accessible information resource and does not place any additional legal responsibility on a teacher or school administrator.
H.B. 1322 relates to the establishment of an online resource for teachers of students with special health needs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Section 21.463, as follows:
Sec. 21.463. RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS. Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission, to establish and maintain an Internet website to provide resources for teachers who teach students with special health needs. Requires TEA to include on the website information about the treatment and management of chronic illnesses and how such illnesses impact a student's well-being or ability to succeed in school and food allergies that are common among students, including information about preventing exposure to a specific food when necessary to protect a student's health and information about treating a student suffering from an allergic reaction to a food.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.