SRC-TAG H.B. 2692 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2692 78R6969 DLF-DBy: Guillen (Zaffirini) Health & Human Services 5/21/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Diabetes rates continue to climb in our society and the onset of diabetes takes place earlier in the lives of many citizens. Medical research shows that this is partly due to diet and lifestyle choices which exacerbate the onset of diabetes. Many other problems, based on diet and lifestyle choices, have been helped through peer support groups. Recent research suggests that this approach would be effective with people at risk of developing diabetes and could help reduce the severity of the disease in those already diagnosed with diabetes. H.B. 2692 requires the state to develop a pilot program that would promote the creation of diabetes support groups to enable persons to share information and exchange ideas and strategies regarding disease management techniques. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 103, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 103.0176, as follows: Sec. 103.0176. PILOT PROGRAM FOR DIABETES GROUPS. (a) Requires the Texas Diabetes Council (council), in consultation with the Texas Department of Health (TDH), to develop a pilot program to promote and facilitate the operation of diabetes groups to enable persons with diabetes to exchange information and strategies to manage the disease and to obtain relevant information and education. (b) Prohibits the council from providing financial support to fund a diabetes group, but authorizes the council to provide meeting space in a state-owned building, if available. Requires TDH to cooperate with the council to provide meeting space under this subsection. (c) Requires the council to operate the pilot program required by this section in not more than two counties in this state selected by the council from among the counties that are located on the border of this state and the United Mexican States and that have a high proportion of low-income households. (d) Requires the council, not later than December 1, 2004, to submit a report summarizing the results of the pilot program to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. (e) Provides that this section expires September 2, 2005. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.