By: Watson, Zaffirini S.B. No. 1344
Shapiro
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an alcohol awareness component of the health curriculum
used in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Carson Starkey
Alcohol Awareness and Education Act.
SECTION 2. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (r) to read as follows:
(r) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the
health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B), the State Board of
Education shall adopt essential knowledge and skills that address
the dangers, causes, consequences, signs, symptoms, and treatment
of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. The agency shall compile a
list of evidence-based alcohol awareness programs from which a
school district shall choose a program to use in the district's
middle school, junior high school, and high school health
curriculum. In this subsection, "evidence-based alcohol awareness
program" means a program, practice, or strategy that has been
proven to effectively prevent or delay alcohol use among students,
as determined by evaluations that use valid and reliable measures
and that are published in peer-reviewed journals.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
school year.
SECTION 4. 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, 2009.