HBA-MPM H.B. 814 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 814
By: Coleman
Public Education
4/23/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 74th Legislature created local health education advisory councils
(councils), which may be comprised of teachers, school administrators,
students, health care professionals, the business community, law
enforcement, senior citizens, and clergy.  The purpose of these councils is
to recommend health education curriculums that reflect community values and
health issues pertinent to the community to the school districts.  However,
the language of current law specifies that the councils are required to
assist school districts with respect to human sexuality instruction and
many school districts interpret this as the council's only role.  House
Bill 814 specifies that the council assist a school district in ensuring
that community values are reflected in the district's health education
instruction. 

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 814 amends the Education Code to expand the purposes and duties
of the local school health education advisory council (council) established
by the board of trustees of each school district to include the district's
overall health education instruction rather than only the district's human
sexuality instruction. The bill sets forth council composition
requirements.  The bill adds a district's compliance with provisions
regarding the council and the effectiveness of the council to the criteria
used to determine the district's accreditation rating. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes place September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
school year.