bill ordering a state HPV plan for college students

The text as introduced · 499 words

89R5995 RDR-F

By: Howard
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.