By:  Zaffirini                                         S.B. No. 606
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to the detection and prevention of osteoporosis.
    1-2        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-3        SECTION 1.  FINDINGS.  The legislature finds that:
    1-4              (1)  osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major
    1-5  public health problem that, in many cases, remains undiagnosed,
    1-6  resulting in fractures, pain, disability, and immobility;
    1-7              (2)  early detection and prevention are critical health
    1-8  care strategies for those at risk of osteoporosis; and
    1-9              (3)  it is in the public interest of this state to
   1-10  promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
   1-11  detection, prevention, and appropriate treatment of osteoporosis.
   1-12        SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS.  In this Act:
   1-13              (1)  "Board" means the Texas Board of Health.
   1-14              (2)  "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public
   1-15  health.
   1-16              (3)  "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.
   1-17        SECTION 3.  OSTEOPOROSIS PROGRAM.  (a)  In consultation with
   1-18  the board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a program
   1-19  for educating the public on the causes of osteoporosis and the
   1-20  personal risk factors associated with the development of
   1-21  osteoporosis, publicizing the value of early detection and
   1-22  prevention, and identifying the most cost-effective options
   1-23  available for treatment.
   1-24        (b)  In developing the program created by this section, the
    2-1  commissioner may appoint a task force to make recommendations on
    2-2  strategies for educating the public on the health benefits of early
    2-3  detection and prevention of osteoporosis.  The members of the task
    2-4  force shall receive no compensation, per diem, or expense
    2-5  reimbursement for their service on the task force.
    2-6        SECTION 4.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
    2-7  and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
    2-8  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-9  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-10  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.