85R5590 JG-F     By: Blanco H.B. No. 1044       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to mandatory spinal screenings for children in certain   grades attending public or private schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 37.001(b), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  The executive commissioner, in cooperation with the   Texas Education Agency, shall adopt rules for the mandatory spinal   screening of female children in grades 5 and 7 and male children in   grade 8 [6 and 9] attending public or private schools. The   department shall coordinate the spinal screening program with any   other screening program conducted by the department on those   children.          SECTION 2.  (a)  The executive commissioner of the Health   and Human Services Commission, in cooperation with the Texas   Education Agency, shall adopt the rules required by Section   37.001(b), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, as soon   as practicable after the effective date of this Act.          (b)  Section 37.001(b), Health and Safety Code, as amended by   this Act, applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.