HBA-JEK H.B. 2452 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2452 By: Hochberg Public Education 4/2/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The University Interscholastic League (UIL) was created to lead and organize the extracurricular activities of public schools. UIL sets guidelines and procedures for participation in academic and athletic competitions. Currently, UIL encourages but does not require each school to have medical emergency procedures at athletic contests. In the absence of a standard medical procedures policy, some students may return to competition before fully recovering from injury. House Bill 2452 establishes the University Interscholastic League Medical Board and requires the board to adopt medical policies and procedures for student participation in UIL athletic competitions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the University Interscholastic League Medical Board in SECTION 1 (Section 33.0841, Education Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS House Bill 2452 amends the Education Code to establish the University Interscholastic League Medical Board (board). The bill provides that a person must be a licensed and practicing medical professional in this state to be eligible to serve as a member. The bill provides that the board is composed of one physician specializing in sports medicine, one physician specializing in general pediatric medicine, one physician specializing in orthopedic medicine and working with children or adolescents as an athletic team physician, one physician specializing in pediatric neurological medicine, and an athletic trainer, all to be appointed by the governor. H.B. 2452 requires the medical board by rule to adopt no later than June 1, 2002, a uniform medical policy for students, campuses, and school districts participating in UIL competitions. The rules must include minimum requirements for any physical examinations and medical screenings conducted to determine student eligibility for UIL athletic competitions as well as appropriate procedures for the examination of students who sustain bodily injuries while training for or participating in a UIL athletic competition. The bill provides that a rule adopted by the board is not effective unless the commissioner of education (commissioner) approves the rule, and that a school district employee or a campus that violates a board rule is ineligible for participation in any UIL athletic competition for the duration of a period to be determined by the commissioner. The bill also provides that a rule adopted by UIL or a school district policy that directly affects the health of students participating in a UIL athletic competition is not effective unless approved by the board. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the 2002-2003 school year.