BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 970
	By: Cortez; Guerra (Uresti)
	Health & Human Services
	5/11/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 970 protects Texans by directing the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to develop a program which would work to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae using existing resources.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacteria that causes many types of illness including: pneumonia (infection of the lungs), ear infections, sinus infections, meningitis (infection of the covering around the brain and spinal cord), and bacteremia (blood stream infection).

High-risk groups affected include adults 65 years of age or older and children younger than two years of age. People who have weak immune systems from diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or HIV/AIDS are at an increased risk of being affected by Streptococcus pneumonia. Furthermore, those who smoke cigarettes or have asthma are also at an increased risk.

In 2015, there were 102 deaths due to Streptococcus pneumonia, with the majority of deaths occurring in adults ages 60 and older.

Under H.B. 970, DSHS will develop a program for preventing and treating Streptococcus pneumoniae. The program will conduct health education and community outreach activities to promote public awareness. The health and prevention information must also be provided to the public on DSHS�s website.

Because H.B. 970 directs DSHS to develop the program using existing resources, there is no additional fiscal cost to the state.

H.B. 970 amends current law relating to the establishment of a state plan for Streptococcus pneumoniae education and prevention.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 94A, as follows:

CHAPTER 94A. STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE; EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM

Sec. 94A.001. STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE. (a) Requires 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. Requires the plan to include strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected by the diseases, including certain persons.

(b) Requires DSHS, in developing the plan, to seek the advice of certain persons or entities.

(c) Requires DSHS to review and modify the developed plan, as necessary, at least once every five years and authorizes DSHS to update the plan biennially.

Sec. 94A.002. STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM. (a) Requires DSHS to develop a program to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

(b) Requires the developed program to require DSHS 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 DSHS�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) Authorizes DSHS, using existing resources, to include in the developed program a study to estimate the current and future impact on this state of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.�

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.