HBA-JLV H.B. 1151 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1151
By: Raymond
Higher Education
3/5/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Bacterial meningitis is a contagious and potentially severe infection
spread by direct contact, such as coughing, sneezing, kissing, and
immediate sharing of unwashed eating utensils.  Currently, dormitory
residents may be at a higher risk for contracting bacterial meningitis
because of crowded living environments and lack of information about the
disease and how it spreads.  House Bill 1151 requires that all college and
university students be provided with information regarding the risks,
symptoms, and treatments for bacterial meningitis in a brochure or other
format so that the information is reasonably likely to come to the
attention of each student. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1151 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (board) to prescribe procedures by which each
institution of higher education is required to provide information relating
to bacterial meningitis to new students of the institution.  The bill also
requires the board to furnish the information in a brochure or other format
so that the information is likely to come to the attention of each student.
The bill requires the board to prescribe the form and content of the
information, and sets forth what the information must cover.  

The bill requires the board to consult with the Texas Department of Health
(TDH) in prescribing the content of information to be provided to students,
and to establish an advisory committee to assist the board in
implementation of these provisions.  The bill requires the board and TDH to
encourage private or independent institutions of higher education to
provide the information to all new students of those institutions.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.