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.