BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.S.B. 1685
By: Sibley (Stiles)
05-16-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is a major public health concern in the United
States, with an estimated 244,000 cases diagnosed across the
country each year. In addition, more than 40,000 deaths are
attributed to the disease nationwide. In Texas, about 13,000 cases
are diagnosed and more than 2,200 Texans die from the disease each
year. Annual checkups and testing can result in early detection and
cure.

PURPOSE

S.B. 1685 directs the Commissioner of Health to develop and
implement an education program for the detection and prevention of
prostate cancer.

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. Amends Title 2D, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Chapter 91, "PROSTATE CANCER," as follows:

Sec. 91.001.    FINDINGS.  Sets forth the legislature's findings in
relation to prostate cancer.

Sec. 91.002.    PROSTATE CANCER STRATEGY.  Requires the
Commissioner of Health (commissioner), in consultation with the
Texas Board of Health (board), to develop and implement a program
that educates the public on the causes of prostate cancer and the
factors associated with the development of prostate cancer. 
Requires the program to publicize the value and methods of early
detection and prevention, and identify the options available for
treatment.

Sec. 91.003.   TASK FORCE.  (a) Requires the commissioner, using
existing resources in developing the program created by Section
91.002, to appoint a task force to make recommendations on
strategies for educating the public on the health benefits of the
early detection, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

(b)  States that members of the task force are not entitled to
compensation, per diem, or expense reimbursement for their service
on the task force.

SECTION 2.     Emergency clause.
               Effective date: upon passage.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute for S.B. 1685 requires the commissioner to use
existing resources to develop the program.

In addition, the substitute contains several language changes,
including alterations in the findings section which emphasize Texas
statistics instead of national figures, and a change that promotes
testing in general instead of a specific type of test. In Sec.
91.003, the substitute states that the task force will recommend
strategies for educating the public on the benefits of early
detection, prevention and treatment, instead of just detection and
prevention.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 1685 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a formal
meeting on May 16, 1995. The committee considered a complete
substitute for the bill. The substitute was adopted without
objection. The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV, and 4 absent.