By: Pena (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 2758
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2011;
May 5, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 19, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 19, 2011, sent to printer.)
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 registers for
courses 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 to be used to notify the
individual in the event of an emergency; 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 may be submitted electronically or
in writing, as chosen by the institution, and must be renewed at the
start of each academic year.
(e) The personal identifying information obtained from an
individual for the purpose of the emergency alert system of an
institution of higher education, including an e-mail address or
telephone number, 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.
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