SRC-TJG S.B. 1949 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1949
78R15622 MCK-DBy: Harris
Health & Human Services
5/19/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Cancer Registry is the clearinghouse of information about the
number of Texans who are diagnosed with and/or die of cancer each year.
It includes statistics such as a patient's age, ethnicity, gender, city of
residence, stage of cancer at diagnosis, size of tumor, et cetera.  This
data is used in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of the
disease.  Texas' statistics are incomplete and are two to three years
behind.  As proposed, S.B. 1949 requires the Texas Cancer Registry to
become a nationally certified registry that meets the North American
Association of Central Cancer Registries "gold standard."   

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.  Provides that it is an important public policy goal of the
state for the state's cancer registry to receive gold standard
certification by the North American Association of Central Cancer
Registries.  Provides that gold standard certification will enable the
state and research institutions in the state to qualify for additional
federal funds. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 82.006, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

(a) Created from existing text.

(b) Requires the Texas Board of Health to ensure that the state's cancer
registry receives gold standard certification from the North American
Association of Central Cancer Registries. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 82.007, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsection (c) to require the Texas Department of Health to report to the
legislature as soon as the cancer registry receives gold standard
certification from the North American Association of Central Cancer
Registries. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.