87R5790 MWC-D By: Gates H.B. No. 1872 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the use of certain disease detection devices in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 38.043 to read as follows: Sec. 38.043. CERTAIN MANDATORY DETECTION DEVICES PROHIBITED. (a) In this section: (1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus disease. (2) "COVID-19 detection device" means a device worn on a student's body designed and used for the purpose of: (A) detecting the student's temperature; (B) detecting the presence of COVID-19 symptoms; or (C) tracing the student's contact with other individuals infected with COVID-19. (b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may not require a student to use a COVID-19 detection device at any time during the school day or at any activity sponsored by the district or school. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. 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, 2021.