AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Chapter 37 (Abnormal Spinal Curvature in Children), Health and Safety Code, requires the Department of State Health Services, in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency, to establish a program to detect abnormal spinal curvature in children. Since 2004, the United States Preventative Services Task Force has recommended against the routine screening of asymptomatic adolescents for idiopathic scoliosis. The task force reports that the potential harms of screening and treating adolescents include unnecessary follow-up visits and evaluations because of false positive results.

 

Many school nurses and local health providers believe resources can be used for better purposes. They believe mass screenings are not effective, with very few students receiving an intervention other than observation.

 

S.B. 504 repeals Chapter 37, Health and Safety Code, leaving scoliosis screenings as an option, rather than a mandate, for Texas school districts.

 

As proposed, S.B. 504 amends current law relating to eliminating the requirement that certain schoolchildren be screened for abnormal spinal curvature.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Board of Health is rescinded in SECTION 1 (Section 37.001, Health and Safety Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Repealer:  Chapter 37 (Abnormal Spinal Curvature in Children), Health and Safety Code.

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.