C.S.H.B. 2721 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2721 By: Gutierrez Public Health Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acanthosis nigricans is a disorder that causes light brown to black, velvety, rough areas or increased skin markings usually on the back and sides of the neck. Acanthosis nigricans is an indicator of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a primary factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. Current law requires school children to be screened for vision and hearing disorders, and screening for acanthosis nigricans was included as a precautionary screening procedure during the 77th Legislature. The Health and Safety Code now requires the Texas-Mexico Border Health Coordination Office of The University of Texas-Pan American to administer an acanthosis nigricans screening program and requires the executive council advising the office, by rule, to coordinate screening of individuals who attend public or private schools located in Texas Education Agency Regional Education Service Centers 1, 2, 3, 13, 15, 18, 19, and 20, including procedures necessary to administer screening activities. The law requires the office to require acanthosis nigricans screening to be performed at the same time hearing and vision screening is performed under the Special Senses and Communication Disorders Act or spinal screening is performed to detect abnormal spinal curvature in children. This bill would expand the acanthosis nigricans screening program in public and private schools located in Texas Education Agency Regional Educational Service Centers 4, 10, and 11. 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 C.S.H.B. 2721 requires the executive council advising the Texas-Mexico Border Health Coordination Office to expand their current acanthosis nigricans screening to include TEA Regional Educational Service Centers 4, 10, and 11. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The original bill was not a Texas Legislative Council Draft. No substantive changes were made in the substitute.