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79R4157 MSE-F
By: Thompson H.B. No. 1486
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation, powers, and duties of a cervical cancer
task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 113 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 113. CERVICAL CANCER TASK FORCE
Sec. 113.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Task force" means the cervical cancer task force
established under this chapter.
Sec. 113.002. DUTIES. The task force shall:
(1) study the prevalence and burden of cervical
cancer;
(2) promote public awareness on the causes and nature
of cervical cancer, personal risk factors, the value of prevention
and early detection, options for testing, treatment costs, new
technology, medical care reimbursement, and physician education;
(3) examine new and emerging medicines, including
vaccines, that are being developed in an effort to prevent,
control, and cure cervical cancer;
(4) identify and examine the limitations of existing
programs, services, and laws relating to cervical cancer awareness
and the availability of health insurance coverage and public
services for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer;
(5) develop a statewide comprehensive Cervical Cancer
Prevention Plan and strategies to implement and promote the plan;
(6) facilitate coordination and communication among
state and local agencies and organizations in achieving the goals
of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Plan; and
(7) receive reports and testimony from individuals,
local health departments, community-based organizations, and other
public and private organizations to gather input on their
contributions to and ideas for improving cervical cancer diagnosis,
prevention, and treatment.
Sec. 113.003. POWERS. To implement this section, the task
force may:
(1) apply for, receive, accept, and administer gifts,
grants, and other funds available from any source; and
(2) contract with the federal government, the state,
interstate agencies, local governmental agencies, and private
entities.
Sec. 113.004. REPORT. Not later than October 15 of each
even-numbered year, the task force shall submit a report to the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives stating:
(1) the progress of the task force in accomplishing
the goals described by Section 113.002; and
(2) recommendations for legislation and rule changes.
Sec. 113.005. COMPOSITION. (a) The task force consists
of nine members as follows:
(1) three members appointed by the governor,
including:
(A) one public member;
(B) one tenured professor at a medical school or
teaching hospital in this state; and
(C) one representative of the health insurance
industry;
(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant
governor, including:
(A) one state senator;
(B) one representative of a women's health
organization; and
(C) one member in good standing of the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and
(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives, including:
(A) one member of the house of representatives;
(B) one licensed physician whose practice
includes oncology; and
(C) one representative of a cancer support,
education, or prevention organization, or a researcher who has
published one or more articles on cervical cancer in a medical
journal.
(b) The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a
majority of the membership of the task force.
(c) Members serve staggered two-year terms. Four or five
members' terms expire February 1 of each year.
(d) An appointment to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term
of a member shall be made not later than the 90th day after the date
the position becomes vacant.
Sec. 113.006. MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at the
call of the presiding officer.
Sec. 113.007. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. A task force
member is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to
reimbursement for the member's travel expenses as provided by
Chapter 660, Government Code, and the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 113.008. PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES. (a) The task
force is administratively attached to the department.
(b) The executive commissioner shall appoint a director to
staff the task force.
(c) The department shall provide the necessary staff to
assist the director in performing the task force's duties.
Sec. 113.009. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
Sec. 113.010. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires and the
task force is abolished October 16, 2008.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than November 1, 2005, members
shall be appointed to the cervical cancer task force as required by
Section 113.005, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. The
terms of the initial members of the task force shall be determined
by lot so that:
(1) five members' terms expire February 1, 2006; and
(2) four members' terms expire February 1, 2007.
(b) Not later than December 31, 2005, the cervical cancer
task force shall meet as required by Section 113.006, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.