HBA-MPM S.B. 580 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 580
By: Van de Putte
Public Education
4/23/2001
Engrossed



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 assist school
districts with respect to human sexuality instruction, and many districts
interpreted this as the council's only role.  Senate Bill 580 specifies
that the council assist the 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

Senate Bill 580 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 the district's human
sexuality instruction. The bill sets forth council composition
requirements.  

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.