|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to public school policy regarding the prevention of heat |
|
stress. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 38.0211 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 38.0211. HEAT STRESS PREVENTION POLICY. (a) In this |
|
section, "wet bulb globe temperature" means a comprehensive |
|
measurement of environmental conditions that accounts for ambient |
|
temperature, relative humidity, wind, and solar radiation. |
|
(b) This section applies to: |
|
(1) each public school in this state; and |
|
(2) an extracurricular activity sponsored or |
|
sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League and conducted |
|
outdoors, including practice, training, participation, and |
|
competition. |
|
(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school |
|
shall adopt and implement a policy regarding heat safety for |
|
students participating in extracurricular activities conducted |
|
outdoors. The policy must: |
|
(1) establish criteria for determining satisfactory |
|
or unsatisfactory conditions for outdoor activity based on wet bulb |
|
globe temperature levels; |
|
(2) require each school to monitor the risk of heat |
|
stress before an outdoor activity begins and determine whether |
|
conditions are satisfactory or unsatisfactory in accordance with |
|
criteria established under Subdivision (1); and |
|
(3) require each school to modify or suspend outdoor |
|
activity as necessary if conditions are determined to be |
|
unsatisfactory under Subdivision (1). |
|
(d) This section does not: |
|
(1) waive any immunity from liability of a school |
|
district or open-enrollment charter school or of district or |
|
charter school officers or employees; or |
|
(2) create any liability for a cause of action against |
|
a school district or open-enrollment charter school or against |
|
district or charter school officers or employees. |
|
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 |
|
school year. |
|
SECTION 3. 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, 2023. |