By:  Sibley                                           S.B. No. 1685
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to the detection and prevention of prostate cancer.
    1-2        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-3        SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
    1-4  amended by adding Chapter 91 to read as follows:
    1-5                     CHAPTER 91.  PROSTATE CANCER
    1-6        Sec. 91.001.  FINDINGS.  The legislature finds that:
    1-7              (1)  prostate cancer is a major public health problem
    1-8  with an estimated 244,000 cases to be diagnosed resulting in over
    1-9  40,000 deaths nationally;
   1-10              (2)  early detection through annual checkups and
   1-11  prostatic specific antigen (PSA) testing are critical to the
   1-12  preservation of life and to health care strategies for those at
   1-13  risk of prostate cancer; and
   1-14              (3)  it is in the public interest of this state to
   1-15  promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
   1-16  detection, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
   1-17        Sec. 91.002.  PROSTATE CANCER PROGRAM.  In consultation with
   1-18  the board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a program
   1-19  that educates the public on the causes of prostate cancer and the
   1-20  factors associated with the development of prostate cancer.  The
   1-21  program shall also publicize the value of early detection and
   1-22  prevention and identify the options available for treatment.
   1-23        Sec. 91.003.  TASK FORCE.  (a)  In developing the program
    2-1  created by Section 91.002, the commissioner shall appoint a task
    2-2  force to make recommendations on strategies for educating the
    2-3  public on the health benefits of the early detection and prevention
    2-4  of prostate cancer.
    2-5        (b)  Members of the task force are not entitled to
    2-6  compensation, per diem, or expense reimbursement for their service
    2-7  on the task force.
    2-8        SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
    2-9  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   2-10  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-11  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-12  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   2-13  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   2-14  passage, and it is so enacted.