By Zaffirini                                           S.B. No. 606
       74R4242 KLL-F
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the detection and prevention of osteoporosis; making an
    1-3  appropriation.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  FINDINGS.  The legislature finds that:
    1-6              (1)  osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major
    1-7  public health problem that, in many cases, remains undiagnosed,
    1-8  resulting in fractures, pain, disability, and immobility;
    1-9              (2)  early detection and prevention are critical health
   1-10  care strategies for those at risk of osteoporosis; and
   1-11              (3)  it is in the public interest of this state to
   1-12  promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
   1-13  detection, prevention, and appropriate treatment of osteoporosis.
   1-14        SECTION 2.  ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE PREVENTION OF
   1-15  OSTEOPOROSIS.  (a)  The Advisory Council for the Prevention of
   1-16  Osteoporosis is created to provide input and advice to the
   1-17  commissioner of public health on strategies for educating the
   1-18  public on the health benefits of early detection and prevention of
   1-19  osteoporosis.
   1-20        (b)  Not later than December 1, 1995, the Texas Board of
   1-21  Health shall appoint members of the council as follows:
   1-22              (1)  five health care consumers, at least two of whom
   1-23  must be persons with osteoporosis and at least one of whom must be
   1-24  a member of a statewide or national organization associated with
    2-1  osteoporosis issues;
    2-2              (2)  two persons licensed to practice medicine in this
    2-3  state who are knowledgeable in the prevention and treatment of
    2-4  osteoporosis; and
    2-5              (3)  two representatives of the Texas Department of
    2-6  Health with knowledge or expertise in public health education
    2-7  strategies.
    2-8        (c)  The council shall elect one of its consumer members as
    2-9  chairman.  The council meets at the call of the chairman.
   2-10        (d)  Council members are not entitled to compensation for
   2-11  service on the council but are entitled to reimbursement of travel
   2-12  expenses as provided in the General Appropriations Act for state
   2-13  employees.
   2-14        (e)  Not later than 180 days after the date of its
   2-15  appointment, the council shall deliver a report to the commissioner
   2-16  of public health and the Texas Board of Health recommending
   2-17  strategies for educating the public on the causes of osteoporosis,
   2-18  personal risk factors associated with the development of
   2-19  osteoporosis, the value of early detection and prevention, and the
   2-20  most cost-effective options available for treatment.  The council
   2-21  shall make recommendations concerning:
   2-22              (1)  public education campaigns through electronic or
   2-23  print media, community forums, local offices of the Texas
   2-24  Department of Health, employee wellness programs, hospitals and
   2-25  health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit organizations with
   2-26  member populations that might be at risk of osteoporosis;
   2-27              (2)  health care consumer education to accurately
    3-1  convey the latest scientific information about osteoporosis in
    3-2  terms that are easily understood; and
    3-3              (3)  professional education to increase awareness among
    3-4  physicians and other health care providers about the public health
    3-5  benefits of osteoporosis detection, prevention, and treatment.
    3-6        (f)  The council is not subject to Article 6252-33, Revised
    3-7  Statutes.
    3-8        SECTION 3.  PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.  In developing and
    3-9  implementing the program required by Chapter 90, Health and Safety
   3-10  Code, the commissioner of public health shall consider the
   3-11  council's recommendations.
   3-12        SECTION 4.  AMENDMENT.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and
   3-13  Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 90 to read as follows:
   3-14                       CHAPTER 90.  OSTEOPOROSIS
   3-15        Sec. 90.001.  OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS PROGRAM.  The
   3-16  commissioner, in consultation with the board, shall develop and
   3-17  implement a program to promote public awareness of osteoporosis
   3-18  detection, prevention, and treatment.
   3-19        SECTION 5.  APPROPRIATION.  The sum of $250,000 is
   3-20  appropriated to the Texas Department of Health from the general
   3-21  revenue fund for each fiscal year of the fiscal biennium ending
   3-22  August 31, 1997, for implementing this Act.
   3-23        SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect September
   3-24  1, 1995.
   3-25        SECTION 7.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
   3-26  and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   3-27  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    4-1  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    4-2  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.