1-1 By: Deshotel (Senate Sponsor - Moncrief) H.B. No. 2759
1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 11, 1999;
1-3 May 12, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
1-4 Services; May 14, 1999, reported favorably by the following vote:
1-5 Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 14, 1999, sent to printer.)
1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-7 AN ACT
1-8 relating to the prostate cancer education program.
1-9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-10 SECTION 1. Section 91.001, Health and Safety Code, is
1-11 amended to read as follows:
1-12 Sec. 91.001. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that:
1-13 (1) prostate cancer is a major public health problem
1-14 with an estimated 13,000 Texans to be diagnosed each year resulting
1-15 in over 2,200 Texans dying each year;
1-16 (2) African Americans have the highest incidence of
1-17 prostate cancer in the state;
1-18 (3) early detection through annual checkups and
1-19 testing are critical to the preservation of life and to health care
1-20 strategies for those at risk of prostate cancer; and
1-21 (4) [(3)] it is in the public interest of this state
1-22 to promote public awareness of the benefits and value of the early
1-23 detection, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
1-24 SECTION 2. Section 91.002, Health and Safety Code, is
1-25 amended to read as follows:
1-26 Sec. 91.002. PROSTATE CANCER STRATEGY. (a) In consultation
1-27 with the board, the commissioner shall develop and implement a
1-28 program that educates the public on the causes of prostate cancer
1-29 and the factors associated with the development of prostate cancer.
1-30 This program must include components designed to reach high-risk
1-31 populations that reflect the nature of and trends in prostate
1-32 cancer morbidity and mortality rates in high-risk groups in this
1-33 state.
1-34 (b) The program shall also publicize the value and methods
1-35 of early detection and prevention and identify the options
1-36 available for treatment.
1-37 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-38 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
1-39 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-40 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-41 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-42 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
1-43 * * * * *