By: Deuell S.B. No. 504
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the requirement that certain schoolchildren be screened
  for abnormal spinal curvature.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subsections (b) and (c), Section 37.001, Health
  and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The board, in cooperation with the Texas Education
  Agency, shall adopt rules requiring each public school to choose
  either to participate in the [for the mandatory] spinal screening
  program for [of] children in grades 6 and 9 attending the public [or
  private] school or to provide information developed by the
  department on abnormal spinal curvature to the parents, managing
  conservators, or guardians of children in grades 6 through 9
  attending the public school [schools]. The department shall
  coordinate the spinal screening program with any other screening
  program conducted by the department on those children.
         (c)  The board shall adopt substantive and procedural rules
  necessary to administer screening activities and for the
  development and provision of information on abnormal spinal
  curvature.
         SECTION 2.  Section 37.002, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.002.  [COMPLIANCE WITH] SCREENING REQUIREMENTS.
  (a)  If a public school requires an [Each] individual [required by
  board rule] to be screened, the individual shall undergo approved
  screening for abnormal spinal curvature.  The individual's parent,
  managing conservator, or guardian may substitute professional
  examinations for the screening.
         (b)  An individual is exempt from screening if screening
  conflicts with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or
  religious denomination of which the individual is an adherent or a
  member. To qualify for the exemption, the individual's parent,
  managing conservator, or guardian must submit to the chief
  administrator on or before the day of the screening procedure an
  affidavit stating the objections to screening. The chief
  administrator must make the information on abnormal spinal
  curvature developed under Section 37.001 available to the exempted
  individual's parent, managing conservator, or guardian.
         (c)  If screening is required, the [The] chief administrator
  of each school shall ensure that each individual admitted to the
  school complies with the screening requirements set by the board or
  submits an affidavit of exemption.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than March 1, 2014, the Department of
  State Health Services shall develop the information required by
  Subsection (b), Section 37.001, Health and Safety Code, as amended
  by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 5.  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, 2013.