85R935 CAE-D

By: West S.B. No. 1898

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing the purchase of certain insurance coverage by public school districts for the benefit of businesses and students participating in career or technology training programs and providing for immunity from liability of certain public school students participating in career or technology programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 29.191 and 29.192 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.191. HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN, LIABILITY, AND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE. (a) The board of trustees of a school district may obtain health benefit plan, liability, or automobile insurance coverage to protect:

(1) a business or entity that partners with the district to provide district students a career and technology training program; and

(2) a district student who participates in a district career and technology training program.

(b) The coverage authorized by this section must be:

(1) obtained from a reliable insurer authorized to engage in business in this state; or

(2) provided through a self-funded risk pool.

(c) The amount of coverage the district obtains must be reasonable considering the financial condition of the school district and may not exceed the amount that, in the opinion of the board of trustees, is reasonably necessary.

(d) If the board of trustees obtains health benefit plan, liability, or automobile insurance coverage under this section, the board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student participating in the career and technology training program.

(e) The failure of any board of trustees to obtain coverage authorized by this section may not be construed as placing any legal liability on the school district or the district's officers, agents, or employees for any injury that results.

Sec. 29.192. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. A student who participates in a career and technology training program sponsored by a school district is entitled to immunity in the same manner as a professional employee of a school district under Subchapter B, Chapter 22.

SECTION 2. Section 29.187(f), Education Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION 4. 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.