82R9452 TRH-D
By: Patrick H.B. No. 3471
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study the
feasibility of requiring dental examinations for certain public
school students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The
commissioner of state health services shall establish an advisory
committee to study and provide recommendations to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and the legislature regarding the feasibility of requiring dental
examinations for public school students who are entering the first
grade.
(b) The advisory committee consists of the following eight
members appointed by the commissioner of state health services:
(1) a representative of the Department of State Health
Services;
(2) a representative of the Texas Education Agency;
(3) a member of the Texas Dental Association;
(4) a member of the Texas Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry;
(5) a member of the Texas Dental Hygienists
Association;
(6) a member of the Texas School Nurses Organization;
(7) an individual who:
(A) holds a license issued under Subtitle D,
Title 3, Occupations Code; and
(B) is currently engaged in the practice of
dentistry; and
(8) a member of the Texas State Board of Dental
Examiners.
(c) The commissioner of state health services shall ensure
that the members of the advisory committee reflect the diverse
geographic regions and population groups of this state.
(d) The representative of the Department of State Health
Services shall serve as chair of the advisory committee.
(e) An advisory committee member is not entitled to
reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.
(f) Not later than November 1, 2011, the commissioner of
state health services shall appoint the members to the advisory
committee as required by this section.
(g) Not later than December 1, 2011, the advisory committee
shall hold an organizational meeting. The committee shall meet
regularly as necessary.
(h) The advisory committee shall study:
(1) the advantages and disadvantages of requiring a
dental examination performed by a dentist for each student not
earlier than the 180th day before or not later than the 30th day
after the date the student enters the first grade; and
(2) the costs, resources, and best practices
associated with requiring the dental examination described by
Subdivision (1).
(i) Not later than December 1, 2012, the advisory committee
shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker
of the house of representatives, and the legislature a report
outlining the feasibility of requiring dental examinations for
public school students who are entering the first grade.
SECTION 2. INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee
established under this Act.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. The advisory committee established
under this Act is abolished and this Act expires on December 1,
2013.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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.