BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 60

By: Ortega

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that a lack of information about insurance programs for which Texas college students may be eligible may contribute to low enrollment numbers for state-run women's health care programs. H.B. 60 seeks to address this issue by requiring public institutions of higher education to distribute information regarding such programs to all enrolled students.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 60 amends the Education Code to require a public institution of higher education, during the fall semester of each academic year, to distribute by email to each student enrolled at the institution information regarding women's health programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, including information about the eligibility requirements and enrollment procedures for those programs. The bill applies beginning with the 2019 fall semester.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.