SRC-MKV H.B. 3572 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3572 77R11725 DLF-FBy: George (Lindsay) Health & Human Services 5/4/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Each year thousands of individuals in the United States are diagnosed with fatal blood-related diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, and deficiencies of the immune system. A majority of such cases are treated through bone marrow transplants, yet approximately 10,000 to 15,000 Americans each year who need a bone marrow transplant are unable to find suitable donors. In lieu of a bone marrow transplant, umbilical cord blood, which is rich in stem cells, may be used to treat a variety of these fatal blood-related diseases. Unfortunately, treatment by umbilical cord blood is not always an option because of the lack of facilities, problematic collection procedures, and costs associated with testing, processing, and storage. H.B. 3572 establishes a grant program for the establishment of an umbilical cord blood bank in Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of health and human services in SECTION 2 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "commissioner" and "commission." SECTION 2. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission), subject to available funds, to establish a program to award a grant of start-up money for the establishment in this state of an umbilical cord blood bank for recipients of blood and blood components who are unrelated to the donors of the blood. (b) Requires the Health and Human Services Commissioner (commissioner) by rule to establish eligibility criteria for awarding the grant. Requires the commission to consider certain information in awarding the grant. (c) Requires the recipient of the grant awarded under this Act to enter into a contract under which the recipient agrees to meet certain criteria. (d) Provides that the grant awarded under this Act is governed by Chapter 783 (Uniform Grant and Contract Management), Government Code, and rules adopted under that chapter. SECTION 3. RULES. Requires that not later than January 1, 2002, the commissioner adopt rules necessary to implement this Act. SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2001.