83R696 JRJ-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 1045
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing a task force to design cultural competence
education requirements for certain health education programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.980 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.980. CULTURAL COMPETENCE TASK FORCE; REPORT. (a)
In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) The commissioner of higher education shall appoint a
task force on cultural competence composed of:
(1) health curricula specialists from two-year and
four-year institutions of higher education;
(2) health professionals; and
(3) representatives of the Health and Human Services
Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and the Office
for the Elimination of Health Disparities.
(c) The commissioner must consider geographic distribution
and cultural and health professional diversity when appointing
members to the task force.
(d) The task force shall study and make recommendations on
specific cultural competence curricula for each health-related
education field offered by an institution of higher education. The
curricula must be designed to ensure that students are provided
knowledge of cultural awareness and competence in their respective
health service field, including:
(1) cross-cultural communication;
(2) culturally and linguistically appropriate health
policy considerations;
(3) exploration of health beliefs and explanatory
models;
(4) culturally competent health care delivery;
(5) health disparities, privilege, and equity factors
in the health system; and
(6) culturally and linguistically competent care
supported by policy, administration, and practice.
(e) To minimize duplication and expense for students and
institutions of higher education, the task force must develop and
design the curricula to be offered electronically and through
various distance education models and media.
(f) Not later than January 1, 2015, the task force shall
report its recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor,
speaker of the house of representatives, and chair of each standing
committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher
education or health and human services.
(g) This section expires September 1, 2015.
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, 2013.