C.S.H.B. 2651 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 2651
By: Kuempel
Public Health
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

As Texas strives to provide its citizens with the highest possible quality
in cancer care and research, the state cancer registry should be improved
to meet the highest standards available in the United States.  Requiring
the registry to meet the "gold standard" set by the North American
Association of Central Cancer Registries will ensure that Texas' resources
for cancer care and research are of the highest quality.  Improving
standards will also enable Texas to qualify for increased federal funding
for cancer research. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

The act amends the Health and Safety Code to require that the cancer
registry be nationally certified and conform to the "gold standard" set by
the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.  The bill
directs the Department of Health to report to the Legislature when the
registry is nationally certified to meet the "gold standard."   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute differs from the original in that the requirement that the
state's cancer registry receives gold standard certification from the
North American Association of Central Cancer Registries is moved from
Section 82.005, Health and Safety Code to Section 82.006, Health and
Safety Code. Additionally, the substitute abandons language that describes
why meeting the gold standard is beneficial.