87S20367 JG-D     By: Eckhardt, et al. S.B. No. 85       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the implementation by public schools of certain   COVID-19 public health orders issued by a health authority.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 38.0023 to read as follows:          Sec. 38.0023.  REQUIRED IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN COVID-19   PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS.  (a) In this section, "health authority" has   the meaning assigned by Section 81.003, Health and Safety Code.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a school district shall   implement or otherwise comply with health directives outlined in a   public health order issued by a health authority with jurisdiction   over territory in which the district is wholly or partly located   regarding evidence-based practices to reduce or eliminate the   transmission of or infection with COVID-19 among district students   and staff, including directives requiring the students and staff to   wear face masks or face coverings.          SECTION 2.  Section 38.0023, Education Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to a public health order issued by a health   authority on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.