HB1787 - Relating to the establishment of a higher education plan for human papillomavirus education and prevention.

  89R5995 RDR-F     By: Howard, King, Lalani H.B. No. 1787       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, 2025.