SB1477 —

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 1 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 51.9196, Education Code.

• Section 51.9196, Education Code

  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.

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