The following words and terms, when used in these sections, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Abnormal spinal curvature--An anatomic, structural deviation from the normal spinal curve, such as scoliosis or kyphosis.
2. (2) Approved instructors-includes department staff and those health practitioners who are appropriately licensed under state law, with at least two years of school spinal screening experience, and who successfully complete the department's instructor training course.
3. (3) Approved training program-a program that meets the criteria set by the department for training individuals to conduct spinal screening.
4. (4) Board-The Texas Board of Health.
5. (5) Certification training-Department-approved training which qualifies the individual to receive a certificate stating that the person may perform spinal screening or teach a spinal screening course.
6. (6) Child's health record-The official health record(s) maintained in a school on a child.
7. (7) Conflict of interest-The use of the screening process for solicitation of follow-up services which enable the individual, his/her immediate family members or professional associates to benefit financially, or earn favors or free publicity as a result of the screening process.
8. (8) Department-The Texas Department of Health.
9. (9) Forward-bend test-the department-approved screening procedure to assess a possible presence of an abnormal spinal curvature.
10. (10) Health practitioner-Any person who has completed a course of study in a field of health and who is appropriately licensed under state law, which includes physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and registered nurses.
11. (11) Non-health practitioner-a person who is not a health practitioner, which generally includes teachers, coaches, trainers, parents, and volunteers.
12. (12) Professional examination-An evaluation performed by a health practitioner licensed under state law and whose expertise addresses the diagnostic needs of the individual identified as having a possible spinal deformity.
13. (13) School--An educational institution that admits children who are between five-21 years of age, which includes an individual school campus.
14. (14) School spinal screening experience-Experience in spinal screening obtained in a school-based health program.
15. (15) Screeners--Individuals who perform the actual screening tests. These may be health practitioners who are licensed under state law or nonhealth practitioners who have successfully completed a department-approved course in spinal screening.
16. (16) Screening-The forward-bend test, which is used for the determination of the need for a professional examination to diagnose a spinal deformity.
17. (17) Training-Department-approved training, conducted by a qualified instructor, to enable a trainee to perform approved spinal screening.

Source Note:The provisions of this §37.142 adopted to be effective March 21, 1986, 11 TexReg 1145.