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.