BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1344

                                                                                                                          By: Watson, Zaffirini

                                                                                                                                            Education

                                                                                                                                            4/10/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

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. 

 

As proposed,  S.B. 1344 directs the State Board of Education to include curriculum pertaining to the causes, consequences, signs, symptoms, and treatment of alcohol poisoning and binge drinking in the middle and high school Texas essential knowledge and skills (TEKS) requirements.  Further, the Texas Education Agency will be required to compile a list of programs that have been shown to be effective at reducing or delaying the use of alcohol in that age group that can be used to meet the TEKS requirements.

 

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 Section 28.002, Education Code, by adding Subsection (r), to require the State Board of Education 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 alcohol awareness evidence-based programs from which a school district is required to choose for use in the district's health curriculum.  Defines "alcohol awareness evidence-based program."

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. 

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2009.