BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.S.B. 606
By: Zaffirini (McDonald)
04-19-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable bone disease. Early
detection can help most women avoid the negative effects of the
disease, but most women learn about osteoporosis only after  a
fracture occurs. Educating women that osteoporosis is a common and
potentially dangerous disease can help motivate them to take the
steps necessary to avoid or mitigate the disease's affect.

PURPOSE

S.B. 606 requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with
the Texas Board of Health, to develop and implement an osteoporosis
awareness program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Adds Chapter 90 to Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and
Safety Code, as follows:

     Sec. 90.001. FINDINGS. Sets forth findings of the legislature
     regarding osteoporosis, early detection, and the role public
     awareness can play in furthering the public interest.

     Sec. 90.002.  OSTEOPOROSIS PROGRAM.  Requires the commissioner
     of health      (commissioner), in consultation with the Texas
                    Board of Health, to develop and implement a
                    program for educating the public on the causes
                    of osteoporosis and the personal risk factors
                    associated with the development of the
                    disease, publicizing the value of early
                    detection and prevention, and identifying the
                    most cost-effective options available for
                    treatment.

     Sec. 90.003.  TASK FORCE.  Authorizes the commissioner to
     appoint a task force to make recommendations on strategies for
     educating the public on the health benefits of early detection
     and prevention of the disease. Prohibits members of the task
     force from receiving any compensation, per diem, or expense
     reimbursement for service on the task force.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.  Effective immediately.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute for S.B. 606 contains non-substantive changes
recommended by the Legislative Council.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 606 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
April 18, 1995. The committee considered a complete substitute for
the bill. The substitute was adopted without objection. The bill
was reported favorably as substituted, and with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 7 Ayes, 0 Nays,
0 PNV, and 2 absent.

In a public hearing on April 19, 1995, the committee reconsidered
the vote by which S.B. 606 was reported favorably on April 18. S.B.
606 was reconsidered without objection. The committee considered a
complete substitute for the bill. The substitute was adopted
without objection. The bill was reported favorably as substituted,
and with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a
record vote of 7 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 2 Absent.