Guerra Telehealth Bill Reaches Campuses In 2029-2030

The text as introduced · 516 words

89R12948 BCH-D

By: Guerra
H.B. No. 2861

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the implementation of telehealth services programs at

certain public primary and secondary schools and the appointment of

a telehealth services program task force to conduct a study and

issue a report concerning the implementation of those programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is

amended by adding Sections 38.0341 and 38.0342 to read as follows:

Sec. 38.0341. TELEHEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) In this

section, "telehealth service" means a health care service delivered

by a health professional licensed, certified, or otherwise entitled

to practice in this state and acting within the scope of the health

professional's license, certification, or entitlement to a patient

at a different physical location than the health professional using

telecommunications or information technology.

(b) Beginning with the 2029-2030 school year, a school

district that does not employ a full-time school nurse shall

implement a telehealth services program under which district

students and employees receive access to telehealth services at

each campus of the district.

(c) Telehealth services provided under a program

implemented under this section:

(1) must be provided at no cost to students and

employees; and

(2) may be provided to a student only with the written

consent of the student's parent, guardian, or other person having

lawful control of the student.

Sec. 38.0342. TELEHEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM TASK FORCE;

STUDY; REPORT. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the

State Board of Education, shall appoint a task force composed of

agency employees and qualified stakeholders, including individuals

with experience as educators or parents of public school students.

(b) The task force appointed under Subsection (a) shall

conduct a study on the implementation of telehealth services

programs under Section 38.0341 by school districts to which that

section applies. The study must:

(1) evaluate the availability of telehealth services

for each school district that does not employ a full-time school

nurse; and

(2) identify changes to state law or policy necessary

to improve availability of telehealth services described by

Subdivision (1).

(c) Not later than September 1, 2026, the agency shall

submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the members of

the legislature a report containing the results of the study

conducted under Subsection (b). The report must include:

(1) information from school districts regarding the

implementation of telehealth services programs under Section

38.0341; and

(2) any recommended changes to state law or policy

identified by the task force under Subsection (b)(2).

(d) This section expires September 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the

commissioner of education, in consultation with the State Board of

Education, shall appoint the task force required under Section

38.0342, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.