1-1  By:  Zaffirini                                         S.B. No. 606
    1-2        (In the Senate - Filed February 16, 1995; February 20, 1995,
    1-3  read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
    1-4  Services; March 22, 1995, reported adversely, with favorable
    1-5  Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0;
    1-6  March 22, 1995, sent to printer.)
    1-7  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 606                By:  Zaffirini
    1-8                         A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-9                                AN ACT
   1-10  relating to the detection and prevention of osteoporosis; making an
   1-11  appropriation.
   1-12        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
   1-13        SECTION 1.  FINDINGS.  The legislature finds that:
   1-14              (1)  osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major
   1-15  public health problem that, in many cases, remains undiagnosed,
   1-16  resulting in fractures, pain, disability, and immobility;
   1-17              (2)  early detection and prevention are critical health
   1-18  care strategies for those at risk of osteoporosis; and
   1-19              (3)  it is in the public interest of this state to
   1-20  promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
   1-21  detection, prevention, and appropriate treatment of osteoporosis.
   1-22        SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS.  In this Act:
   1-23              (1)  "Board" means the Texas Board of Health.
   1-24              (2)  "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public
   1-25  health.
   1-26              (3)  "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.
   1-27        SECTION 3.  OSTEOPOROSIS PROGRAM.  (a)  In consultation with
   1-28  the board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a program
   1-29  for educating the public on the causes of osteoporosis and the
   1-30  personal risk factors associated with the development of
   1-31  osteoporosis, publicizing the value of early detection and
   1-32  prevention, and identifying the most cost-effective options
   1-33  available for treatment.
   1-34        (b)  In developing the program created by this section, the
   1-35  commissioner may appoint a task force to make recommendations on
   1-36  strategies for educating the public on the health benefits of early
   1-37  detection and prevention of osteoporosis.  The members of the task
   1-38  force shall receive no compensation, per diem, or expense
   1-39  reimbursement for their service on the task force.
   1-40        SECTION 4.  APPROPRIATION.  There is hereby appropriated to
   1-41  the department the sum of $250,000 for each fiscal year in the
   1-42  1996-1997 biennium for the implementation of this Act.
   1-43        SECTION 5.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-44  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-45  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   1-46  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   1-47  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
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