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 _____ to read as follows:
    1-5                    CHAPTER     .  PROSTATE CANCER
    1-6        Sec.      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; and,
   1-10              (2)  early detection through annual checkups and PSA
   1-11  testing are critical to the preservation of life and 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.      PROSTATE CANCER PROGRAM.  In consultation with the
   1-17  board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a program that
   1-18  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 of early detection and
   1-21  prevention, and identify the options available for treatment.
   1-22        Sec.      TASK FORCE.  (a)  In developing the program created
   1-23  by Section    , the commissioner shall appoint a task force to make
    2-1  recommendations on strategies for educating the public on the
    2-2  health benefits of the early detection and prevention of prostate
    2-3  cancer.
    2-4        (b)  Members of the task force are not entitled to
    2-5  compensation, per diem, or expense reimbursement for their service
    2-6  on the task force.
    2-7        SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
    2-8  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
    2-9  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-10  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-11  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   2-12  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   2-13  passage, and it is so enacted.