Texas House Bill HB519

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a school of pharmacy in the city of Dallas by the University of North Texas System.

Impact

The establishment of the pharmacy school is expected to have significant implications for the state’s higher education landscape and healthcare workforce. By providing a dedicated institution for pharmacy education, the bill aims to increase the number of qualified pharmacists in Texas, which can positively impact healthcare delivery, especially in urban areas like Dallas. Additionally, the bill stipulates that, initially, the school of pharmacy will operate as a professional school within the UNT System before transitioning to a professional school of the University of North Texas at Dallas after a designated period.

Summary

House Bill 519 seeks to establish a school of pharmacy in the city of Dallas under the governance of the University of North Texas System. The bill will amend the Education Code to formalize the processes by which this new professional school can be operated and regulated. Provisions in the bill allow the university to offer degrees that align with those provided by other leading pharmacy schools in the United States, which is seen as a means to enhance educational opportunities for aspiring pharmacists in Texas.

Contention

A point of contention surrounding HB 519 is the timeline and conditions under which the pharmacy school will acquire accreditation. The bill mandates that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board conduct a study to assess the implementation of the school's establishment and its path to accreditation. Concerns have been raised regarding the funding mechanisms and the operational viability of the school, especially given the specific requirements that must be met before it can transition to being a professional school under the UNT Dallas umbrella.