82R9748 KYF-D
By: Pena H.B. No. 2758
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to mandatory emergency alert systems at institutions of
higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.218 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.218. EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. (a) In this section,
"institution of higher education" and "private or independent
institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by
Section 61.003.
(b) Each institution of higher education and private or
independent institution of higher education shall establish an
emergency alert system for the institution's students and staff,
including faculty. The emergency alert system must use e-mail or
telephone notifications in addition to any other alert method the
institution considers appropriate to provide timely notification
of emergencies affecting the institution or its students and staff.
(c) At the time a student initially enrolls or a staff
member begins employment, the institution shall:
(1) obtain a personal telephone number or e-mail
address from the student or staff member; and
(2) register the student or staff member in the
institution's emergency alert system.
(d) A student or staff member may elect not to participate
in an emergency alert system established under this section. An
election under this subsection must be:
(1) in writing on a form developed by the institution;
(2) signed by the student or staff member; and
(3) renewed at the start of each academic year.
(e) The information provided by a student or staff member to
an institution of higher education under this section is
confidential and not subject to disclosure under Section 552.021,
Government Code.
(f) Each institution of higher education and private or
independent institution of higher education shall implement the
emergency alert system required by this section not later than the
spring 2012 semester. This subsection expires June 1, 2012.
SECTION 2. 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, 2011.