76R9276 CMR-D                           
         By Deshotel                                           H.B. No. 2759
         Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2759:
         By McClendon                                      C.S.H.B. No. 2759
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the prostate cancer education program.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 91.001, Health and Safety Code, is
 1-5     amended to read as follows:
 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)  African Americans have the highest incidence of
1-11     prostate cancer in the state;
1-12                 (3)  early detection through annual checkups and
1-13     testing are critical to the preservation of life and to health care
1-14     strategies for those at  risk of prostate cancer; and
1-15                 (4) [(3)]  it is in the public interest of this state
1-16     to promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
1-17     detection,  prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
1-18           SECTION 2.  Section 91.002, Health and Safety Code, is
1-19     amended to read as follows:
1-20           Sec. 91.002.  PROSTATE CANCER STRATEGY.  (a)  In consultation
1-21     with the board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a
1-22     program that educates the public on the causes of prostate cancer
1-23     and the factors associated with the development of prostate cancer.
1-24     This program must include components designed to reach high-risk
 2-1     populations that reflect the nature of and trends in prostate
 2-2     cancer morbidity and mortality rates in high-risk groups in this
 2-3     state.
 2-4           (b)  The program shall also publicize the value and methods
 2-5     of early detection and prevention and identify the options
 2-6     available for  treatment.
 2-7           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
 2-8           SECTION 4.  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.