S.B. No. 1685
                                        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 EDUCATION PROGRAM
    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 13,000 Texans to be diagnosed each year resulting
    1-9  in over 2,200 Texans dying each year;
   1-10              (2)  early detection through annual checkups and
   1-11  testing are critical to the preservation of life and to health care
   1-12  strategies for those at risk of prostate cancer; and
   1-13              (3)  it is in the public interest of this state to
   1-14  promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
   1-15  detection, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
   1-16        Sec. 91.002.  PROSTATE CANCER STRATEGY.  In consultation with
   1-17  the board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a program
   1-18  that educates the public on the causes of prostate cancer and the
   1-19  factors associated with the development of prostate cancer.  The
   1-20  program shall also publicize the value and methods of early
   1-21  detection and prevention and identify the options available for
   1-22  treatment.
   1-23        Sec. 91.003.  TASK FORCE.  (a)  Using existing resources in
    2-1  developing the program created by Section 91.002, the commissioner
    2-2  shall appoint a task force to make recommendations on strategies
    2-3  for educating the public on the health benefits of the early
    2-4  detection, prevention, and treatment 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.