87R11419 CXP-F
 
  By: Johnson S.B. No. 1477
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a higher education plan for human
  papillomavirus education and prevention.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.9196 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.9196.  HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS HIGHER EDUCATION PLAN
  AND EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board.
               (2)  "Department" means the Department of State Health
  Services.
               (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  The department, using existing resources and programs
  to the extent possible, shall develop a state plan for preventing
  and treating human papillomavirus and the health problems caused by
  the infection among students enrolled at institutions of higher
  education.  The plan must include strategies for preventing and
  treating human papillomavirus and related health problems in
  specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected
  by the infection.
         (c)  In developing the plan, the department shall seek the
  advice of:
               (1)  the public, including advocates who have been
  infected with human papillomavirus;
               (2)  each state agency that provides services to
  persons infected with human papillomavirus or that is assigned
  duties related to health problems caused by human papillomavirus,
  including the Health and Human Services Commission and the
  coordinating board;
               (3)  any advisory body that addresses issues related to
  health problems caused by human papillomavirus;
               (4)  public advocates concerned with issues related to
  health problems caused by human papillomavirus;
               (5)  providers of services to persons with health
  problems caused by human papillomavirus; and
               (6)  a statewide professional association of
  physicians.
         (d)  The department shall review and modify as necessary the
  plan developed under Subsection (b) at least once every five years
  and may update the plan biennially.
         (e)  The coordinating board and the department shall jointly
  develop a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and
  understanding of human papillomavirus among students enrolled at
  institutions of higher education.
         (f)  The program developed under Subsection (e) must require
  the coordinating board and the department to:
               (1)  conduct health education, public awareness, and
  community outreach activities to promote public awareness and
  knowledge about the risk factors for, the value of early detection
  of, available screening services for, and the options available for
  the treatment of health problems caused by human papillomavirus;
  and
               (2)  post on the coordinating board's and department's
  respective Internet websites the options available for the
  prevention, treatment, and detection of human papillomavirus
  infection and the health problems caused by the infection and
  information on the risk factors for, method of transmission of, and
  value of early detection of the infection.
         (g)  The coordinating board and the department, using
  existing resources, may include in the program developed under
  Subsection (e) a study to estimate the current and future impact on
  this state of health problems caused by human papillomavirus.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.