1. (a) Spinal screening is required, for all children in grades six and nine who attend public and private schools, to detect abnormal spinal curvature. Spinal screening, conducted under this subchapter by a person who is not a licensed professional, as the term is defined in this subchapter, must be conducted following the national standards for screening set by the AAOS currently found at http://www.aaos.org/news/bulletin/nov07/clinical5.asp, as they apply to allowable method of screening and age of screening, with the following exceptions.

   1. (1) The use of a scoliosis inclinometer is optional for spinal screening.
   2. (2) If a scoliosis inclinometer is used for spinal screening, a rescreen should be conducted for reading results of 5 to 7 degrees. The rescreen should be conducted within two weeks of the initial screening. A follow-up rescreen should be conducted in six months to one year to determine if the abnormal curvature is increasing.
   3. (3) When using a scoliosis inclinometer, results of 7 degrees or more shall be documented as "abnormal findings."
   4. (4) If a scoliosis inclinometer is not used for spinal screening, a rescreen should be conducted for abnormal findings. The rescreen should be conducted within two weeks of the initial screening. Abnormal findings detected during the rescreen shall be documented in the child's spinal screening record. The school's chief administrator shall inform the child's parent, managing conservator, or guardian, as specified in §37.144(a) of this title (relating to School Requirements; Department Activities).
   5. (5) In accordance with Health and Safety Code, Chapter 37 requirements, children will be screened in grades six and nine instead of the AAOS guidelines.
2. (b) A person who is not a licensed professional, as that term is defined in this subchapter, who conducts spinal screening must be trained and certified as described in §37.146(a) of this title (relating to Standards and Requirements for Screening Certification and Instructor Training).
3. (c) The requirements of this section do not apply when the individual is already actively under medical care by an appropriate licensed professional for one or more of the spinal problems for which screening is performed under this section. In order to claim this exception, the individual under the scenarios described in Texas Family Code, §32.003 or, if the individual is a minor, the individual's parent, managing conservator or legal guardian, must submit documentation from the licensed professional to the school. The documentation must be signed and dated by the licensed professional, and must affirmatively state that the individual is under active, ongoing medical care from the licensed professional for specific spinal problems as referenced in this subsection.

Source Note:The provisions of this §37.143 adopted to be effective January 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 238.