82R9452 TRH-D
 
  By: Patrick H.B. No. 3471
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study the
  feasibility of requiring dental examinations for certain public
  school students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)  The
  commissioner of state health services shall establish an advisory
  committee to study and provide recommendations to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
  and the legislature regarding the feasibility of requiring dental
  examinations for public school students who are entering the first
  grade.
         (b)  The advisory committee consists of the following eight
  members appointed by the commissioner of state health services:
               (1)  a representative of the Department of State Health
  Services;
               (2)  a representative of the Texas Education Agency;
               (3)  a member of the Texas Dental Association;
               (4)  a member of the Texas Academy of Pediatric
  Dentistry;
               (5)  a member of the Texas Dental Hygienists
  Association;
               (6)  a member of the Texas School Nurses Organization;
               (7)  an individual who:
                     (A)  holds a license issued under Subtitle D,
  Title 3, Occupations Code; and
                     (B)  is currently engaged in the practice of
  dentistry; and
               (8)  a member of the Texas State Board of Dental
  Examiners.
         (c)  The commissioner of state health services shall ensure
  that the members of the advisory committee reflect the diverse
  geographic regions and population groups of this state.
         (d)  The representative of the Department of State Health
  Services shall serve as chair of the advisory committee.
         (e)  An advisory committee member is not entitled to
  reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.
         (f)  Not later than November 1, 2011, the commissioner of
  state health services shall appoint the members to the advisory
  committee as required by this section.
         (g)  Not later than December 1, 2011, the advisory committee
  shall hold an organizational meeting. The committee shall meet
  regularly as necessary.
         (h)  The advisory committee shall study:
               (1)  the advantages and disadvantages of requiring a
  dental examination performed by a dentist for each student not
  earlier than the 180th day before or not later than the 30th day
  after the date the student enters the first grade; and
               (2)  the costs, resources, and best practices
  associated with requiring the dental examination described by
  Subdivision (1).
         (i)  Not later than December 1, 2012, the advisory committee
  shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker
  of the house of representatives, and the legislature a report
  outlining the feasibility of requiring dental examinations for
  public school students who are entering the first grade.
         SECTION 2.  INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN LAW. Chapter 2110,
  Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee
  established under this Act.
         SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION. The advisory committee established
  under this Act is abolished and this Act expires on December 1,
  2013.
         SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.