85R10179 KJE-D
By: Phillips H.B. No. 1720
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to parental notice regarding an incident of lice in a
public elementary school.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.031 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.031. NOTICE OF LICE. (a) A school administrator or
nurse of a public elementary school who determines or otherwise
becomes aware that a child enrolled in the school has lice shall
provide written or electronic notice of that fact to:
(1) the parent of the child with lice as soon as
practicable but not later than 48 hours after the administrator or
nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact; and
(2) the parent of each child assigned to the same
classroom as the child with lice not later than the fifth school day
after the date on which the administrator or nurse, as applicable,
determines or becomes aware of that fact.
(b) The notice provided under Subsection (a):
(1) must include the recommendations of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention for the treatment and prevention
of lice; and
(2) if the notice is provided under Subsection (a)(2),
may not identify the child with lice.
(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section in a manner that complies with federal law
regarding confidentiality of student medical or educational
information, including the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.) and the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
Section 1232g), and any state law relating to the privacy of student
information.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
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, 2017.