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.