83R809 EAH-D
By: Watson S.B. No. 278
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an alcohol awareness component of the science
curriculum used in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.002(r), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(r) The [In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for
the health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B), the] State Board
of Education by rule shall require a school district or
open-enrollment charter school to provide to students in middle
school, junior high school, and high school instruction [adopt
essential knowledge and skills] that addresses [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 or open-enrollment charter school shall choose a
program to use in the district's or school's middle school, junior
high school, and high school science [health] curriculum. The
agency shall make alcohol awareness programs available without
cost. To the extent possible, the programs shall be accessible
electronically for school districts and open-enrollment charter
schools. A high school shall use a program chosen under this
subsection in a course that satisfies the science curriculum
requirement for graduation under Section 28.025(b-1)(1)(A). 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 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014
school year.
SECTION 3. 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.