BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1344

                                                                                                                                By: Watson et al.

                                                                                                                                            Education

                                                                                                                                            10/7/2009

                                                                                                                                              Enrolled

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Since 2007, there have been several cases of accidental deaths on college campuses due to alcohol poisoning.  Generally, those who die from alcohol poisoning are freshmen or new fraternity pledges who have little to no experience with alcohol and have little understanding of its effects and dangers.  While most colleges and universities have some kind of educational program relating to alcohol poisoning and binge drinking (either online courses, handouts to freshmen, or presentations during freshmen orientation), there is a clear lack of education in middle and high school curriculum when students are first exposed to and forming their perception of alcohol culture. 

 

S.B. 1344 amends current law relating to an alcohol awareness component of the health curriculum used in public schools.

 

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.  Requires that this Act be known as the Carson Starkey Alcohol Awareness and Education Act.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 28.002, Education Code, by adding Subsection (r), as follows:

 

(r)  Requires the State Board of Education, in adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B) (relating to a required enrichment curriculum that includes health, with an emphasis on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise), to adopt essential knowledge and skills that address the dangers, causes, consequences, signs, symptoms, and treatment of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning.  Requires the Texas Education Agency to compile a list of evidence-based alcohol awareness programs from which a school district is required to choose a program to use in the district's middle school, junior high school, and high school health curriculum.  Defines "evidence-based alcohol awareness program." 

 

SECTION 3.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. 

 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2009.