BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 114

By: McClendon

Public Health

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

While cancer affects men and women of every age, race, ethnic background, and economic class, reports indicate that the disease has a disproportionate impact on minorities. This may be due in part to delayed diagnosis, limited access to treatment, and inadequate patient care. Minorities who are poor, lack health insurance, or otherwise have inadequate access to quality cancer treatment tend to experience higher diagnosis rates and poorer survival rates.  Heightened awareness of these issues could help decrease the impact of cancer on minority groups.

C.S.H.B. 114 seeks to increase awareness of cancer within minority populations in Texas and promote education and earlier and more effective cancer diagnosis and treatment by designating April as Minority Cancer Awareness Month.

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

C.S.H.B. 114 amends the Government Code to establish April as Minority Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of cancer in minority populations and encourage funding of education and earlier and more effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The bill requires Minority Cancer Awareness Month to be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public locations to increase cancer awareness, including the specific effects, incidences, and impact of cancer on minority populations, and encourage support for minority cancer education, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 114 differs from the original by requiring Minority Cancer Awareness Month to be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public locations, whereas the original requires Minority Cancer Awareness Month to be regularly observed by appropriate activities in public schools and other places.