H.B. 2692 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2692 By: Guillen Public Health Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND 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. HB 2692 would require 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 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 HB 2692 requires the Texas Diabetes Council, in consultation with the Texas Department of Health, 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. The bill goes on to state that the council may not provide any direct financial support to fund a diabetes group, but may provide meeting space in a state-owned building, if available. The bill further states that TDH is required to cooperate with the council in order to provide meeting space. The pilot program would be conducted by the Texas Diabetes Council in two counties that are located on the border of Texas and Mexico that have a high proportion of low-income households. The council is required to submit a report summarizing the results of the pilot program to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house or representatives no later than December 1, 2004. The bill provides that this section expires September 2, 2005. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.