BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 291

By: Nelson

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law stipulates that all students enrolled in certain health-related courses of study receive a hepatitis B vaccination series before the students begin providing direct patient care. Some potential students may choose not to pursue health care careers due to the expense and time required to receive the hepatitis B vaccination.

S.B. 291 specifies that a rule requiring a hepatitis B vaccination for students may apply only to students enrolled at an institution of higher education in a course of study involving potential exposure to human or animal blood or bodily fluids.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTIONS 1 and 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 291 amends the Education Code to provide that a rule adopted by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission that requires a hepatitis B vaccination may apply only to students enrolled at an institution of higher education in a course of study that involves potential exposure to human or animal blood. The bill requires the executive commissioner to adopt such rules not later than November 1, 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.