85R13172 SCL-D
 
  By: Wilson H.B. No. 4151
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to dissemination of bacterial meningitis information by
  school districts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 38.0025(a) and (c), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The Department of State Health Services [agency] shall
  prescribe procedures by which each school district shall provide
  information relating to bacterial meningitis to its students and
  their parents each school year. The procedures must ensure that the
  information is reasonably likely to come to the attention of the
  parents of each student. The department [agency] shall prescribe
  the form and content of the information. The information must
  cover:
               (1)  the symptoms of the disease, how it may be
  diagnosed, and its possible consequences if untreated;
               (2)  how the disease is transmitted, how it may be
  prevented, and the relative risk of contracting the disease for
  primary and secondary school students;
               (3)  the availability and effectiveness of vaccination
  against and treatment for the disease, and a brief description of
  the risks and possible side effects of vaccination; and
               (4)  sources of additional information regarding the
  disease, including any appropriate office of the school district
  and the appropriate office of the department [Texas Department of
  Health].
         (c)  A school district, with the written consent of the
  Department of State Health Services [agency], may provide the
  information required by this section to its students and their
  parents by a method different from the method prescribed by the
  department [agency] under Subsection (a) if the department [agency]
  determines that method would be effective in bringing the
  information to the attention of the parents of each student.
         SECTION 2.  Section 38.0025(b), Education Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall develop
  the procedures under Section 38.0025, Education Code, as amended by
  this Act.
         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, 2017.