88R1896 CXP-F
By: Howard H.B. No. 989
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a higher education plan for human
papillomavirus education and prevention.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9196 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9196. HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS HIGHER EDUCATION PLAN
AND EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) The department, using existing resources and programs
to the extent possible, shall develop a state plan for preventing
and treating human papillomavirus and the health problems caused by
the infection among students enrolled at institutions of higher
education. The plan must include strategies for preventing and
treating human papillomavirus and related health problems in
specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected
by the infection.
(c) In developing the plan, the department shall seek the
advice of:
(1) the public, including advocates who have been
infected with human papillomavirus;
(2) each state agency that provides services to
persons infected with human papillomavirus or that is assigned
duties related to health problems caused by human papillomavirus,
including the Health and Human Services Commission and the
coordinating board;
(3) any advisory body that addresses issues related to
health problems caused by human papillomavirus;
(4) public advocates concerned with issues related to
health problems caused by human papillomavirus;
(5) providers of services to persons with health
problems caused by human papillomavirus; and
(6) a statewide professional association of
physicians.
(d) The department shall review and modify as necessary the
plan developed under Subsection (b) at least once every five years
and may update the plan biennially.
(e) The coordinating board and the department shall jointly
develop a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and
understanding of human papillomavirus among students enrolled at
institutions of higher education.
(f) The program developed under Subsection (e) must require
the coordinating board and the department to:
(1) conduct health education, public awareness, and
community outreach activities to promote public awareness and
knowledge about the risk factors for, the value of early detection
of, available screening services for, and the options available for
the treatment of health problems caused by human papillomavirus;
and
(2) post on the coordinating board's and department's
respective Internet websites the options available for the
prevention, treatment, and detection of human papillomavirus
infection and the health problems caused by the infection and
information on the risk factors for, method of transmission of, and
value of early detection of the infection.
(g) The coordinating board and the department, using
existing resources, may include in the program developed under
Subsection (e) a study to estimate the current and future impact on
this state of health problems caused by human papillomavirus.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.