BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1724

By: Sheffield

Public Health

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that Texas would benefit from a state plan for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as a program to educate and prevent such diseases, which are among the most common causes of death due to a preventable disease and are particularly dangerous in certain demographic groups. C.S.H.B. 1724 seeks to implement these suggestions.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1724 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), using existing resources and programs to the extent possible, to develop a state plan for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae that includes strategies for prevention and treatment in specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected by such diseases. The bill requires DSHS with the assistance of the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, in developing the plan, to seek the input of the public and specified entities and service providers. The bill requires DSHS to update the plan at least once every five years and authorizes DSHS to update the plan biennially.

C.S.H.B. 1724 requires DSHS to develop a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The bill requires the program to require DSHS to conduct health education, public awareness, and community outreach activities to promote public awareness and knowledge about the risk factors for, the value of early detection of, available screening services for, and the options available for the treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The bill requires the program to require DSHS to post on the DSHS website the options available for the prevention, treatment, and detection of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and information on the risk factors for, method of transmission of, and value of early detection of the diseases. The bill authorizes DSHS, using existing resources, to include in the program a study to estimate the current and future impact of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae on the state.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1724 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill and does not indicate differences relating to changes made by S.B. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, which became effective April 2, 2015.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 94A to read as follows: CHAPTER 94A.  STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE; EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM Sec. 94A.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "department" means the Department of State Health Services. Sec. 94A.002.  STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE.  (a)  The department, using existing resources and programs to the extent possible, shall develop a state plan for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.  The plan must include strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected by the diseases, including persons who are elderly, children under two years of age, persons living in long-term care facilities, persons with a chronic heart or lung disease, smokers, and persons with asplenia. (b)  In developing the plan, the department shall seek the input of: (1)  the public, including members of the public who have had diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; (2)  each state agency that provides services to persons infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or the functions of which otherwise involve diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including any appropriate health and human services agency described by Section 531.001, Government Code, the Employees Retirement System of Texas, and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; (3)  any advisory body that addresses issues related to diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; (4)  public advocates concerned with issues related to vaccine-preventable diseases; (5)  providers of services to persons with diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; and (6)  a statewide professional association of physicians. (c)  The department shall update the state plan developed under this section at least once every five years and may update the state plan biennially. Sec. 94A.003.  STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM.  (a)  The department shall develop a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of Streptococcus pneumoniae. (b)  The program developed under Subsection (a) must require the department to: (1)  conduct health education, public awareness, and community outreach activities to promote public awareness and knowledge about the risk factors for, the value of early detection of, available screening services for, and the options available for the treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; and (2)  post on the department's Internet website the options available for the prevention, treatment, and detection of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and information on the risk factors for, method of transmission of, and value of early detection of the diseases. (c)  The department, using existing resources, may include in the program developed under Subsection (a) a study to estimate the current and future impact of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae on this state.	SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 94A to read as follows: CHAPTER 94A.  STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE; EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM Sec. 94A.001.  STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE.  (a)  The department, using existing resources and programs to the extent possible, shall develop a state plan for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.  The plan must include strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected by the diseases, including persons who are elderly, children under two years of age, persons living in long-term care facilities, persons with a chronic heart or lung disease, smokers, and persons with asplenia. (b)  In developing the plan, the department with the assistance of the executive commissioner shall seek the input of: (1)  the public, including members of the public who have had diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; (2)  each state agency that provides services to persons infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or the functions of which otherwise involve diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including any appropriate health and human services agency described by Section 531.001, Government Code, the Employees Retirement System of Texas, and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; (3)  any advisory body that addresses issues related to diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; (4)  public advocates concerned with issues related to vaccine-preventable diseases; (5)  providers of services to persons with diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; and (6)  a statewide professional association of physicians. (c)  The department shall update the state plan developed under this section at least once every five years and may update the state plan biennially. Sec. 94A.002.  STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM.  (a)  The department shall develop a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of Streptococcus pneumoniae. (b)  The program developed under Subsection (a) must require the department to: (1)  conduct health education, public awareness, and community outreach activities to promote public awareness and knowledge about the risk factors for, the value of early detection of, available screening services for, and the options available for the treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; and (2)  post on the department's Internet website the options available for the prevention, treatment, and detection of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and information on the risk factors for, method of transmission of, and value of early detection of the diseases. (c)  The department, using existing resources, may include in the program developed under Subsection (a) a study to estimate the current and future impact of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae on this state.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.