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.