82R17340 ALB-F
 
  By: Coleman H.B. No. 2312
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2312:
 
  By:  Naishtat C.S.H.B. No. 2312
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a sickle cell disease program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D. SICKLE CELL DISEASE PROGRAM
         Sec. 33.051.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
               (2)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
               (3)  "Health and human services agency" means a health
  and human services agency listed by Section 531.001, Government
  Code.
               (4)  "Program" means the sickle cell disease program
  established under this subchapter.
               (5)  "Sickle cell disease" means any variant of sickle
  cell disease, including sickle cell anemia and sickle cell
  thalassemia.
         Sec. 33.052.  DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT. The department shall:
               (1)  identify efforts related to the expansion and
  coordination of education, treatment, and continuity of care
  programs for individuals with sickle cell trait and sickle cell
  disease;
               (2)  assist the advisory committee created under
  Section 33.053; and
               (3)  provide the advisory committee created under
  Section 33.053 with staff support necessary for the advisory
  committee to fulfill its duties.
         Sec. 33.053.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The governor shall
  appoint an advisory committee composed of 11 members, including a
  program administrator. The members must be located in
  geographically diverse areas of the state and must be interested in
  and knowledgeable about sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.  
  In making appointments to the advisory committee, the governor
  shall consider appointing members who are:
               (1)  representatives of a community agency;
               (2)  state or local officials responsible for public
  health, social services, or rehabilitation;
               (3)  representatives from educational institutions,
  including schools and universities;
               (4)  physicians and other health care providers; and
               (5)  persons with, or relatives of persons with, sickle
  cell trait or sickle cell disease.
         (b)  Members of the advisory committee serve staggered
  three-year terms, with the terms of three or four members expiring
  each year.
         (c)  The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year.
         (d)  The advisory committee shall conduct a needs assessment
  and advise the department and the program administrator regarding
  the needs of individuals with sickle cell trait and sickle cell
  disease and make recommendations, including recommendations
  regarding legislative action, department rules, and program
  administration.
         (e)  The program administrator shall report periodically to
  the executive commissioner and annually to the governor regarding
  the advisory committee's activities and findings.
         (f)  A member of the advisory committee is not entitled to
  compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for travel or other
  expenses incurred while conducting the business of the advisory
  committee as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
         (g)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  advisory committee.
         Sec. 33.054.  GRANTS. (a) The program administrator shall
  investigate and identify grants and other funding mechanisms for
  entities that:
               (1)  provide education regarding sickle cell trait and
  sickle cell disease;
               (2)  improve the detection of sickle cell trait and
  sickle cell disease and the treatment of sickle cell disease;
               (3)  coordinate delivery of services for people with
  sickle cell disease;
               (4)  provide access to information regarding genetic
  testing and counseling;
               (5)  bundle technical services related to the
  prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease; and
               (6)  provide training for health professionals
  regarding sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.
         (b)  The program administrator shall award grants, if
  possible, to eligible organizations in different regions of this
  state.
         (c)  The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
  donations of money from the federal government, local governments,
  private corporations, and other persons to be used for the purpose
  of awarding grants under the program.
         Sec. 33.055.  RULES.  The executive commissioner may adopt
  rules to implement this subchapter.
         Sec. 33.056.  EXPIRATION.  This subchapter expires September
  1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.