By Chavez                                               H.B. No. 70
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the establishment of the West Texas Diabetes Center in
 1-3     El Paso.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.  It is in the intent of the
 1-6     legislature of the state of Texas to establish a diabetes center in
 1-7     West Texas to be specifically located in El Paso.  In the past
 1-8     several years, studies have shown that the incidence of diabetes is
 1-9     exceedingly high among the Hispanic population of this state.
1-10     Given the dense population of Hispanics along the Texas-Mexican
1-11     border and West Texas, it is imperative that this particular group
1-12     be targeted for awareness, outreach and assistance.
1-13           SECTION 2.  Chapter 103, Health and Safety Code, is amended
1-14     by adding Sec. 103.018 to read as follows:
1-15           Sec. 103.018.  The Council shall establish a West Texas
1-16     Diabetes Center in El Paso which would specifically target the
1-17     health needs and concerns of those residents in West Texas and
1-18     along the Texas-Mexican border.  This Center shall be under the
1-19     direct supervision of the Council.
1-20           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-21           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-1     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-2     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-3     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-4     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.