HB1972 - Relating to requiring coursework in nutrition at public medical schools.

  89R4976 CMO-D     By: Oliverson, Lalani, Kerwin, Shofner H.B. No. 1972       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to requiring coursework in nutrition at public medical   schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.311 to read as follows:           Sec.   51.311.     NUTRITION MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSEWORK. (a)     In this section, "medical school" means:                 (1)  a medical school as defined by Section 61.501; or                 (2)     any other institution of higher education, as   defined by Section 61.003, or school, department, or college of   such an institution, that awards medical degrees.           (b)     Each medical school shall include in the curriculum   required for a medical degree at least three hours of coursework in   nutrition.   The coursework must cover, at a minimum, information   about:                 (1)  normal caloric intake for healthy adults;                 (2)     diet modifications for individuals with food   allergies, diabetes, or other chronic conditions that require diet   modification;                 (3)     the importance of proper nutrition as a primary   strategy to prevent certain diseases and conditions, such as   diabetes, hypertension, and obesity; and                 (4)     additives commonly found in food and beverage   products produced in the United States, as opposed to food and   beverage products produced in foreign countries.           (c)     The coursework required under Subsection (b) may not be   developed, funded, or influenced by a pharmaceutical company or a   food or beverage company.           (d)     This section does not apply to the requirements for the   degree program of a student who entered the degree program at a   medical school before the 2026 spring semester.   This subsection   expires January 1, 2032.          SECTION 2.  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.