BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deshotel
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. At least 50% of sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives. Every year in the United States about 6.2 million people get HPV. HPV is most common in young women and men who are in their late teens and early 20s. There is a new vaccine that protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers.
This bill will coordinate efforts to provide information through existing resources on HPV and the availability of the HPV vaccine. It also contains an education component about HPV in both men and women.
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
HB 1379 directs the Department of State Health Services to use existing resources to produce and distribute materials about HPV vaccines that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The bill requires the materials to include information on the effectiveness, availability, and contraindications of the vaccines.
HB 1379 provides that the educational materials and instruction relating to sexually transmitted diseases should include the following specific information: that sexual intercourse is not required to transmit HPV and avoidance of skin-to-skin contact involving the genital areas offers the best protection; both males and females may be infected with HPV without symptoms; younger women are at a greater risk than older women; and that HPV can be transmitted to an infant during childbirth. It must also include information on the role of HPV in the development of genital warts, cervical cancer and other diseases, and the continuing need for women to undergo pap smear testing.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.