CHAPTER 38. HEALTH AND SAFETY

Statutes > Texas Statutes > EDUCATION CODE > TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION > CHAPTER 38. HEALTH AND SAFETY

EDUCATION CODETITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATIONSUBTITLE G. SAFE SCHOOLSCHAPTER 38. HEALTH AND SAFETYSUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONSSec. 38.001. IMMUNIZATION; REQUIREMENTS; EXCEPTIONS. (a) Each student shall be fully immunized against diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and poliomyelitis, except as provided by Subsection (c). Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 43, Sec. 1 (b) Subject to Subsections (b-1) and (c), the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission may modify or delete any of the immunizations in Subsection (a) or may require immunizations against additional diseases as a requirement for admission to any elementary or secondary school. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 94, Sec. 2 (b) Subject to Subsection (c), the Department of State Health Services may modify or delete any of the immunizations in Subsection (a) or may require immunizations against additional diseases as a requirement for admission to any elementary or secondary school. Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 43, Sec. 1 (b-1) Immunization against human papillomavirus is not required for a person's admission to any elementary or secondary school; however, by using existing resources, the Health and Human Services Commission shall provide educational material about the human papillomavirus vaccine that is unbiased, medically and scientifically accurate, and peer reviewed, available to parents or legal guardians at the appropriate time in the immunization schedule by the appropriate school. This subsection preempts any contrary executive order issued by the governor. This subsection expires January 11, 2011. Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 94, Sec. 2 (b-1) Each year, the Department of State Health Services shall prepare a list of the immunizations required under this section for admission to public schools and of any additional immunizations the department recommends for school-age children. The department shall prepare the list in English and Spanish and make the list available in a manner that permits a school district to easily post the list on the district's Internet website as required by Section 38.019.(c) Immunization is not required for a person's admission to any elementary or secondary school if the person applying for admission:(1) submits to the admitting official:(A) an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the immunization required poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the applicant or any member of the applicant's family or household; or(B) an affidavit signed by the applicant or, if a minor, by the applicant's parent or guardian stating that the applicant declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief; or(2) is a member of the armed forces of the United States and is on active duty.(c-1) An affidavit submitted under Section (c)(1)(B) must be on a form described by Section 161.0041, Health and Safety Code, and must be submitted to the admitting official not later than the 90th day after the date the affidavit is notarized.(d) The Department of State Health Services shall provide the required immunization to children in areas where no local provision exists to provide those services.(e) A person may be provisionally admitted to an elementary or secondary school if the person has begun the required immunizations and if the person continues to receive the necessary immunizations as rapidly as is medically feasible. The Department of State Health Services shall adopt rules relating to the provisional admission of persons to an elementary or secondary school.(f) A person who has not received the immunizations required by this section for reasons of conscience, including because of the person's religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 2.160, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 43, Sec. 1, eff. May 8, 2007.Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 94, Sec. 2, eff. May 15, 2007.

Sec. 38.002. IMMUNIZATION RECORDS; REPORTING. (a) Each public school shall keep an individual immunization record during the period of attendance for each student admitted. The records shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times by the Texas Education Agency or by representatives of local health departments or the Texas Department of Health.(b) Each public school shall cooperate in transferring students' immunization records to other schools. Specific approval from students, parents, or guardians is not required before transferring those records.(c) The Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Health shall develop the form for a required annual report of the immunization status of students. The report shall be submitted by all schools at the time and in the manner indicated in the instructions printed on the form.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.0025. DISSEMINATION OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS INFORMATION. (a) The agency shall prescribe procedures by which each school district shall provide information relating to bacterial meningitis to its students and their parents each school year. The procedures must ensure that the information is reasonably likely to come to the attention of the parents of each student. The agency shall prescribe the form and content of the information. The information must cover:(1) the symptoms of the disease, how it may be diagnosed, and its possible consequences if untreated;(2) how the disease is transmitted, how it may be prevented, and the relative risk of contracting the disease for primary and secondary school students;(3) the availability and effectiveness of vaccination against and treatment for the disease, and a brief description of the risks and possible side effects of vaccination; and(4) sources of additional information regarding the disease, including any appropriate office of the school district and the appropriate office of the Texas Department of Health.(b) The agency shall consult with the Texas Department of Health in prescribing the content of the information to be provided to students under this section. The agency shall establish an advisory committee to assist the agency in the initial implementation of this section. The advisory committee must include at least two members who are parents of students at public schools in this state.(c) A school district, with the written consent of the agency, may provide the information required by this section to its students and their parents by a method different from the method prescribed by the agency under Subsection (a) if the agency determines that method would be effective in bringing the information to the attention of the parents of each student.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 219, Sec. 2, eff. May 22, 2001.

Sec. 38.003. SCREENING AND TREATMENT FOR DYSLEXIA AND RELATED DISORDERS. (a) Students enrolling in public schools in this state shall be tested for dyslexia and related disorders at appropriate times in accordance with a program approved by the State Board of Education.(b) In accordance with the program approved by the State Board of Education, the board of trustees of each school district shall provide for the treatment of any student determined to have dyslexia or a related disorder.(c) The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules and standards necessary to administer this section.(d) In this section:(1) "Dyslexia" means a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity.(2) "Related disorders" includes disorders similar to or related to dyslexia, such as developmental auditory imperception, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.004. CHILD ABUSE REPORTING AND PROGRAMS. (a) The agency shall develop a policy governing the child abuse reports required by Chapter 261, Family Code, of school districts and their employees. The policy must provide for cooperation with law enforcement child abuse investigations without the consent of the child's parents if necessary, including investigations by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Each school district shall adopt the policy.(a-1) The agency shall:(1) maintain on the agency Internet website a list of links to websites that provide information regarding the prevention of child abuse; and(2) develop and periodically update a training program on prevention of child abuse that a school district may use for staff development.(b) Each school district shall provide child abuse antivictimization programs in elementary and secondary schools.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 561, Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2007.

Sec. 38.0041. POLICIES ADDRESSING SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN. (a) Each school district shall adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse of children to be included in the district improvement plan under Section 11.252 and any informational handbook provided to students and parents.(b) A policy required by this section must address:(1) methods for increasing teacher, student, and parent awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of children, including knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse, using resources developed by the agency under Section 38.004;(2) actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and(3) available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1115, Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.

Sec. 38.005. PROTECTIVE EYE DEVICES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Each teacher and student must wear industrial-quality eye-protective devices in appropriate situations as determined by school district policy.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.006. TOBACCO ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. The board of trustees of a school district shall:(1) prohibit smoking or using tobacco products at a school-related or school-sanctioned activity on or off school property;(2) prohibit students from possessing tobacco products at a school-related or school-sanctioned activity on or off school property; and(3) ensure that school personnel enforce the policies on school property.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.007. ALCOHOL-FREE SCHOOL ZONES. (a) The board of trustees of a school district shall prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages at a school-related or school-sanctioned activity on or off school property.(b) The board of trustees of a school district shall attempt to provide a safe alcohol-free environment to students coming to or going from school. The board of trustees may cooperate with local law enforcement officials and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in attempting to provide this environment and in enforcing Sections 101.75, 109.33, and 109.59, Alcoholic Beverage Code. Additionally, the board, if a majority of the area of a district is located in a municipality with a population of 900,000 or more, may petition the commissioners court of the county in which the district is located or the governing board of an incorporated city or town in which the district is located to adopt a 1,000-foot zone under Section 109.33, Alcoholic Beverage Code.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.008. POSTING OF STEROID LAW NOTICE. Each school in a school district in which there is a grade level of seven or higher shall post in a conspicuous location in the school gymnasium and each other place in a building where physical education classes are conducted the following notice:Anabolic steroids are for medical use only. State law prohibits possessing, dispensing, delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid in any manner not allowed by state law. State law provides that body building, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength through the use of an anabolic steroid or human growth hormone by a person who is in good health is not a valid medical purpose. Only a medical doctor may prescribe an anabolic steroid or human growth hormone for a person. A violation of state law concerning anabolic steroids or human growth hormones is a criminal offense punishable by confinement in jail or imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87, Sec. 25.050, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 38.0081. INFORMATION ABOUT STEROIDS. (a) The agency, in conjunction with the Department of State Health Services, shall:(1) develop information about the use of anabolic steroids and the health risks involved with such use; and(2) distribute the information to school districts.(b) Each school district shall, at appropriate grade levels as determined by the State Board of Education, provide the information developed under Subsection (a) to district students, particularly to those students involved in extracurricular athletic activities.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1177, Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 2005.

Sec. 38.009. ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS. (a) A school administrator, nurse, or teacher is entitled to access to a student's medical records maintained by the school district for reasons determined by district policy.(b) A school administrator, nurse, or teacher who views medical records under this section shall maintain the confidentiality of those medical records.(c) This section does not authorize a school administrator, nurse, or teacher to require a student to be tested to determine the student's medical condition or status.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.0095. PARENTAL ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS. (a) A parent or guardian of a student is entitled to access to the student's medical records maintained by a school district.(b) On request of a student's parent or guardian, the school district shall provide a copy of the student's medical records to the parent or guardian. The district may not impose a charge for providing the copy that exceeds the charge authorized by Section 552.261, Government Code, for providing a copy of public information.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1418, Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1999.

Sec. 38.010. OUTSIDE COUNSELORS. (a) A school district or school district employee may not refer a student to an outside counselor for care or treatment of a chemical dependency or an emotional or psychological condition unless the district:(1) obtains prior written consent for the referral from the student's parent;(2) discloses to the student's parent any relationship between the district and the outside counselor;(3) informs the student and the student's parent of any alternative public or private source of care or treatment reasonably available in the area;(4) requires the approval of appropriate school district personnel before a student may be referred for care or treatment or before a referral is suggested as being warranted; and(5) specifically prohibits any disclosure of a student record that violates state or federal law.(b) In this section, "parent" includes a managing conservator or guardian.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

Sec. 38.011. DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS. (a) A school district employee may not:(1) knowingly sell, market, or distribute a dietary supplement that contains performance enhancing compounds to a primary or secondary education student with whom the employee has contact as part of the employee's school district duties; or(2) knowingly endorse or suggest the ingestion, intranasal application, or inhalation of a dietary supplement that contains performance enhancing compounds by a primary or secondary education student with whom the employee has contact as part of the employee's school district duties.(b) This section does not prohibit a school district employee from:(1) providing or endorsing a dietary supplement that contains performance enhancing compounds to, or suggesting the ingestion, intranasal application, or inhalation of a dietary supplement that contains performance enhancing compounds by, the employee's child; or(2) selling, marketing, or distributing a dietary supplement that contains performance enhancing compounds to, or endorsing or suggesting the ingestion, intranasal application, or inhalation of a dietary supplement that contains performance enhancing compounds by, a primary or secondary education student as part of activities that:(A) do not occur on school property or at a school-related function;(B) are entirely separate from any aspect of the employee's employment with the school district; and(C) do not in any way involve information about or contacts with students that the employee has had access to, directly or indirectly, through any aspect of the employee's employment with the school district.(c) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.(d) In this section:(1) "Dietary supplement" has the meaning assigned by 21 U.S.C. Section 321 and its subsequent amendments.(2) "Performance enhancing compound" means a manufactured product for oral ingestion, intranasal application, or inhalation that:(A) contains a stimulant, amino acid, hormone precursor, herb or other botanical, or any other substance other than an essential vitamin or mineral; and(B) is intended to increase athletic or intellectual performance, promote muscle growth, or increase an individual's endurance or capacity for exercise.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 38.012. NOTICE CONCERNING HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) Before a school district or school may expand or change the health care services available at a school in the district from those that were available on January 1, 1999, the board of trustees must:(1) hold a public hearing at which the board discloses all information on the proposed health care services, including:(A) all health care services to be provided;(B) whether federal law permits or requires any health care service provided to be kept confidential from parents;(C) whether a child's medical records will be accessible to the child's parent;(D) information concerning grant funds to be used;(E) the titles of persons who will have access to the medical records of a student; and(F) the security measures that will be used to protect the privacy of students' medical records; and(2) approve the expansion or change by a record vote.(b) A hearing under Subsection (a) must include an opportunity for public comment on the proposal.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1418, Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 1999.

Sec. 38.013. COORDINATED HEALTH PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. (a) The agency shall make available to each school district one or more coordinated health programs designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes in elementary school, middle school, and junior high school students. Each program must provide for coordinating:(1) health education;(2) physical education and physical activity;(3) nutrition services; and(4) parental involvement.(a-1) The commissioner by rule shall adopt criteria for evaluating a coordinated health program before making the program available under Subsection (a). Before adopting the criteria, the commissioner shall request review and comment concerning the criteria from the Department of State Health Services School Health Advisory Committee. The commissioner may make available under Subsection (a) only those programs that meet criteria adopted under this subsection.(b) The agency shall notify each school district of the availability of the programs.(c) The commissioner by rule shall adopt criteria for evaluating the nutritional services component of a program under this section that includes an evaluation of program compliance with the Department of Agriculture guidelines relating to foods of minimal nutritional value.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 944, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 784, Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2005.Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 784, Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2005.

Sec. 38.014. IMPLEMENTATION OF COORDINATED HEALTH PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. (a) Each school district shall:(1) participate in appropriate training for the implementation of the program approved by the agency under Section 38.013; and(2) implement the program in each elementary school, middle school, and junior high school in the district.(b) The agency, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Health, shall adopt a schedule for regional education service centers to provide necessary training under this section.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 784, Sec. 5, eff. June 17, 2005.Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 784, Sec. 6, eff. June 17, 2005.

Sec. 38.0141. REPORTING OF CERTAIN HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION REQUIRED. Each school district shall provide to the agency information as required by the commissioner, including statistics and data, relating to student health and physical activity and information described by Section 28.004(k), presented in a form determined by the commissioner. The district shall provide the information required by this section for the district and for each campus in the district.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 784, Sec. 7, eff. June 17, 2005.

Sec. 38.015. SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION ASTHMA OR ANAPHYLAXIS MEDICINE BY STUDENTS. (a) In this section:(1) "Parent" includes a person standing in parental relation.(2) "Self-administration of prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine" means a student's discretionary use of prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine.(b) A student with asthma or anaphylaxis is entitled to possess and self-administer prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity if:(1) the prescription medicine has been prescribed for that student as indicated by the prescription label on the medicine;(2) the student has demonstrated to the student's physician or other licensed health care provider and the school nurse, if available, the skill level necessary to self-administer the prescription medication, including the use of any device required to administer the medication;(3) the self-administration is done in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider; and(4) a parent of the student provides to the school:(A) a written authorization, signed by the parent, for the student to self-administer the prescription medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity; and(B) a written statement from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider, signed by the physician or provider, that states:(i) that the student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescription medicine;(ii) the name and purpose of the medicine;(iii) the prescribed dosage for the medicine;(iv) the times at which or circumstances under which the medicine may be administered; and(v) the period for which the medicine is prescribed.(c) The physician's statement must be kept on file in the office of the school nurse of the school the student attends or, if there is not a school nurse, in the office of the principal of the school the student attends.(d) This section does not:(1) waive any liability or immunity of a governmental unit or its officers or employees; or(2) create any liability for or a cause of action against a governmental unit or its officers or employees.(e) The commissioner may adopt rules and prescribe forms to assist in the implementation of this section.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 511, Sec. 1, eff. June 11, 2001. Renumbered from Education Code Sec. 38.013 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(19), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2006, 79th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 5, Sec. 10.01, eff. May 31, 2006.Acts 2006, 79th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 5, Sec. 10.02, eff. May 31, 2006.

Sec. 38.016. PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS AND PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS OR EXAMINATIONS. (a) In this section:(1) "Parent" includes a guardian or other person standing in parental relation.(2) "Psychotropic drug" means a substance that is:(A) used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication; and(B) intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior.(b) A school district employee may not:(1) recommend that a student use a psychotropic drug; or(2) suggest any particular diagnosis; or(3) use the refusal by a parent to consent to administration of a psychotropic drug to a student or to a psychiatric evaluation or examination of a student as grounds, by itself, for prohibiting the child from attending a class or participating in a school-related activity.(c) Subsection (b) does not:(1) prevent an appropriate referral under the child find system required under 20 U.S.C. Section 1412, as amended; or(2) prohibit a school district employee who is a registered nurse, advanced nurse practitioner, physician, or certified or appropriately credentialed mental health professional from recommending that a child be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner; or(3) prohibit a school employee from discussing any aspect of a child's behavior or academic progress with the child's parent or another school district employee.(d) The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt a policy to ensure implementation and enforcement of this section.(e) An act in violation of Subsection (b) does not override the immunity from personal liability granted in Section 22.0511 or other law or the district's sovereign and governmental immunity.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1058, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921, Sec. 4.008, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 38.017. AVAILABILITY OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR. (a) Each school district shall make available at each campus in the district at least one automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code. A campus defibrillator must be readily available during any University Interscholastic League athletic competition held on the campus. In determining the location at which to store a campus defibrillator, the principal of the campus shall consider the primary location on campus where students engage in athletic activities.(b) To the extent practicable, each school district, in cooperation with the University Interscholastic League, shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that an automated external defibrillator is available at each University Interscholastic League athletic practice held at a district campus. If a school district is not able to make an automated external defibrillator available in the manner provided by this subsection, the district shall determine the extent to which an automated external defibrillator must be available at each University Interscholastic League athletic practice held at a district campus. The determination must be based, in addition to any other appropriate considerations, on relevant medical information.(c) Each school district, in cooperation with the University Interscholastic League, shall determine the extent to which an automated external defibrillator must be available at each University Interscholastic League athletic competition held at a location other than a district campus. The determination must be based, in addition to any other appropriate considerations, on relevant medical information and whether emergency services personnel are present at the athletic competition under a contract with the school district.(d) Each school district shall ensure the presence at each location at which an automated external defibrillator is required under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) of at least one campus or district employee trained in the proper use of the defibrillator at any time a substantial number of district students are present at the location.(e) A school district shall ensure that an automated external defibrillator is used and maintained in accordance with standards established under Chapter 779, Health and Safety Code.(f) This section does not:(1) waive any immunity from liability of a school district or its officers or employees;(2) create any liability for or a cause of action against a school district or its officers or employees; or(3) waive any immunity from liability under Section 74.151, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.(g) This subsection applies only to a private school that receives an automated external defibrillator from the agency or receives funding from the agency to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator. A private school shall:(1) make available at the school at least one automated external defibrillator; and(2) in coordination with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, adopt a policy concerning the availability of an automated external defibrillator at athletic competitions and practices in a manner consistent with the requirements prescribed by this section, including the training and maintenance requirements prescribed by this section.(h) A school district may seek and accept gifts, grants, or other donations to pay the district's cost of purchasing automated external defibrillators required under this section.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371, Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 38.018. PROCEDURES REGARDING RESPONSE TO CARDIAC ARREST. (a) Each school district and private school shall develop safety procedures for a district or school employee or student to follow in responding to a medical emergency involving cardiac arrest, including the appropriate response time in administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, using an automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code, or calling a local emergency medical services provider.(b) A private school is required to develop safety procedures under this section only if the school receives an automated external defibrillator from the agency or receives funding from the agency to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371, Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 38.0181. CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "pilot program" means the cardiovascular screening pilot program.(b) The commissioner shall establish a pilot program under which sixth grade students at participating campuses are administered a cardiovascular screening, including an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram.(c) The commissioner shall select campuses to participate in the pilot program. In selecting campuses, the commissioner shall ensure that the cardiovascular screening is administered to an ethnically diverse range of students.(d) The commissioner may accept grants and donations for use in administering the pilot program.(e) The commissioner shall require a participating campus to provide the results of a student's cardiovascular screening to the student's parent or guardian.(g) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to administer this section.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371, Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.Renumbered from Education Code, Section 38.019 by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87, Sec. 27.001(6), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 38.019. IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS PROGRAM. (a) A school district that maintains an Internet website shall post prominently on the website:(1) a list, in English and Spanish, of:(A) the immunizations required for admission to public school by rules of the Department of State Health Services adopted under Section 38.001;(B) any immunizations or vaccines recommended for public school students by the Department of State Health Services; and(C) health clinics in the district that offer the influenza vaccine, to the extent those clinics are known to the district; and(2) a link to the Department of State Health Services Internet website where a person may obtain information relating to the procedures for claiming an exemption from the immunization requirements of Section 38.001.(a-1) The link to the Department of State Health Services Internet website provided under Subsection (a)(2) must be presented in the same manner as the information provided under Subsection (a)(1).(b) The list of recommended immunizations or vaccines under Subsection (a)(2) must include the influenza vaccine, unless the Department of State Health Services requires the influenza vaccine for admission to public school.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 94, Sec. 3, eff. May 15, 2007.

Sec. 38.022. SCHOOL VISITORS. (a) A school district may require a person who enters a district campus to display the person's driver's license or another form of identification containing the person's photograph issued by a governmental entity.(b) A school district may establish an electronic database for the purpose of storing information concerning visitors to district campuses. Information stored in the electronic database may be used only for the purpose of school district security and may not be sold or otherwise disseminated to a third party for any purpose.(c) A school district may verify whether a visitor to a district campus is a sex offender registered with the computerized central database maintained by the Department of Public Safety as provided by Article 62.005, Code of Criminal Procedure, or any other database accessible by the district.(d) The board of trustees of a school district shall adopt a policy regarding the action to be taken by the administration of a school campus when a visitor is identified as a sex offender.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1372, Sec. 12, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 38.023. LIST OF RESOURCES CONCERNING INTERNET SAFETY. The agency shall develop and make available to school districts a list of resources concerning Internet safety, including a list of organizations and Internet websites that may assist in educating teachers and students about:(1) the potential dangers of allowing personal information to appear on an Internet website;(2) the significance of copyright laws; and(3) the consequences of cyber-plagiarism and theft of audiovisual works, including motion pictures, software, and sound recordings, through uploading and downloading files on the Internet.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 751, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 38.024. INSURANCE AGAINST STUDENT INJURIES. (a) In compliance with this section, the board of trustees of a school district may obtain insurance against bodily injuries sustained by students while training for or engaging in interschool athletic competition or while engaging in school-sponsored activities on a school campus.(b) The amount of insurance to be obtained must be in keeping with the financial condition of the school district and may not exceed the amount that, in the opinion of the board of trustees, is reasonably necessary to afford adequate medical treatment of injured students.(c) The insurance authorized by this section must be obtained from a reliable insurance company authorized to do business in this state and must be on forms approved by the commissioner of insurance.(d) The cost of the insurance is a legitimate part of the total cost of operating the school district.(e) The failure of any board of trustees to carry the insurance authorized by this section may not be construed as placing any legal liability on the school district or its officers, agents, or employees for any injury that results.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 534, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Transferred from Education Code, Section 33.085 by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87, Sec. 7.004(a), eff. September 1, 2009.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87, Sec. 7.004(b), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 38.026. GRANT PROGRAM FOR BEST PRACTICES IN NUTRITION EDUCATION. (a) The Department of Agriculture shall develop a program under which the department awards grants to public school campuses for best practices in nutrition education.(b) The Department of Agriculture may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this section.(c) The Department of Agriculture may adopt rules as necessary to administer a grant program established under this section.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 728, Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER B. SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERSSec. 38.051. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. (a) A school district in this state may, if the district identifies the need, design a model in accordance with this subchapter for the delivery of cooperative health care programs for students and their families and may compete for grants awarded under this subchapter. The model may provide for the delivery of conventional health services and disease prevention of emerging health threats that are specific to the district.(b) On the recommendation of an advisory council established under Section 38.058, a school district may establish a school-based health center at one or more campuses in the district to meet the health care needs of students and their families.