89R6067 KJE-D     By: Howard H.B. No. 2189       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to methods to improve health profession-related career and   technology education and dual credit programs offered by school   districts.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Sections 29.193 and 29.195 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.193.  INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR HEALTH   PROFESSION-RELATED PROGRAMS.  (a)  The agency shall make available   at no cost to school districts high-quality instructional materials   for use in health profession-related career and technology   education programs provided under this subchapter.          (b)  The instructional materials under Subsection (a) may   include:                (1)  material designed to cover all essential knowledge   and skills for a course offered through a health profession-related   career and technology education program under this subchapter; or                (2)  supplemental materials designed to complement,   enrich, or extend a particular subject area included in a health   profession-related career and technology education program under   this subchapter.          Sec. 29.195.  STUDY ON FEASIBILITY OF SHARING LABORATORY   RESOURCES FOR HEALTH PROFESSION-RELATED PROGRAMS.  (a)  In this   section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned   by Section 61.003.          (b)  The agency, in coordination with the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board, shall study the feasibility of   creating partnerships between public schools and institutions of   higher education to share educational laboratory resources for   purposes of health profession-related career and technology   education programs under this subchapter.          (c)  The study must:                (1)  identify current educational laboratory resources   at public schools and institutions of higher education that may be   used for health profession-related career and technology education   programs; and                (2)  examine methods of creating partnerships,   incentives, or funding mechanisms where appropriate and effective   to facilitate the sharing of educational laboratory resources for   health profession-related career and technology education   programs.          (d)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the agency, in   coordination with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,   shall submit to the legislature a report on the study required by   this section and any recommendations for legislative or other   action.          (e)  This section expires September 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 2308A, Government Code, is amended by   adding Section 2308A.0075 to read as follows:          Sec. 2308A.0075.  REVIEW OF CERTAIN HEALTH   PROFESSION-RELATED DUAL CREDIT PROGRAMS.  (a)  The agency,   coordinating board, and commission jointly shall review the   curriculum of courses in health profession-related career and   technology education programs that are offered for joint high   school and college credit at public schools in this state to ensure   that those programs:                (1)  align with requirements for health   profession-related certificate and degree programs at institutions   of higher education; and                (2)  allow for the stacking of credentials to reduce   duplication of effort.          (b)  The agency, coordinating board, and commission shall   consult with both academic and practicing health care professionals   in conducting the review under Subsection (a).          (c)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the agency,   coordinating board, and commission jointly shall submit to the   legislature a report on the review conducted under Subsection (a)   that includes a description of actions taken by those agencies to   accomplish the purposes described by that subsection and any   recommendations for legislative or other action.          (d)  This section expires September 1, 2027.          SECTION 3.  Section 29.193, Education Code, as added by this   Act, applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.          SECTION 4.  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.