BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 691
79R1807 MSE-F By: Madla
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability among individuals over the age of 18. Texas' share of the costs associated with the disability are significant. Without a coordinated public health effort, the significant societal and individual costs inflicted by arthritis will also increase. Arthritis prevention and control legislation will assure that the ongoing needs of the 3.7 million Texans who suffer the debilitating affects of arthritis will be addressed.
As proposed, S.B. 691 requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to develop and implement an arthritis control and prevention program. DSHS must conduct a needs assessment on arthritis, raise public awareness on arthritis, and establish an arthritis advisory committee. DSHS is currently performing these functions with grant money from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and this bill ensures the continuation of those functions.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
[While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Health, the following amendments affect the Department of State Health Services, as the successor agency to the Texas Department of Health.]
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 96, as follows:
CHAPTER 96. ARTHRITIS CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Sec. 96.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "arthritis" and "program."
Sec. 96.002. ARTHRITIS CONTROL AND PREVENTION PROGRAM. Requires the Texas Department of Health (department) to develop and implement an arthritis control and prevention program (program) to accomplish certain goals.
Sec. 96.003. NEEDS ASSESSMENT. Requires the department, as a part of the program, to conduct a needs assessment to make certain identifications.
Sec. 96.004. PUBLIC AWARENESS. (a) Requires the department through the program to work to raise the public awareness of certain issues relating to arthritis.
(b) Authorizes the department to use strategies, including strategies consistent with the National Arthritis Action Plan and other state arthritis planning efforts, to heighten public awareness under Subsection (a).
Sec. 96.005. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Authorizes the department to take certain steps in implementing the program.
Sec. 96.006. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. (a) Authorizes the department to enter into contracts or agreements as necessary to carry out this chapter. Authorizes the contracts or agreements to provide for payment by the state for materials, equipment, and services.
(b) Authorizes the department to seek, receive, and spend any money received through appropriations, grants, donations, or contributions from public or private sources to develop and implement the program.
(c) Requires the department to provide and train staff to implement the program.
Sec. 96.007. ARTHRITIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Requires the department to establish and coordinate the Arthritis Advisory Committee (committee). Provides that the committee consists of members appointed by the commissioner of public health. Provides that the committee will be made up of certain types of individuals.
(b) Requires the committee to advise the department on developing and implementing the program.
(c) Provides that a member of the committee receives no additional compensation for serving on the committee and is prohibits from being reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting the business of the committee.
(d) Provides that the committee is not subject to Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.