BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1145

By: Johnson

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the prevalence of eating disorders among Texans. Reports indicate that eating disorders often have high mortality rates and may lead to an increased risk of suicide. Although eating disorders are life-threatening illnesses, it has been noted that these disorders are treatable and that patients can recover with early, intensive intervention. There have been calls for more research regarding these disorders to develop additional resources and better treatment strategies for those living with eating disorders in Texas. S.B. 1145 seeks to address this issue by providing for reports on the prevalence of eating disorders and eating disorder-related deaths in Texas.

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

S.B. 1145 requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in collaboration with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to prepare a report on the prevalence of eating disorders and eating disorder-related deaths in Texas and, not later than December 1, 2020, to prepare and submit to the legislature a copy of the report and any recommendations for legislative or other action to reduce the prevalence of eating disorders in Texas. The bill authorizes DSHS to post the report on the DSHS website and requires the report to include:

· statewide and regional statistics regarding the prevalence of eating disorders and eating disorder-related deaths in Texas;

· an overview of national trends in eating disorders; and

· an overview of state-funded behavioral health treatment options available to persons with eating disorders.

The bill requires DSHS to gather the required information for the report from information collected by DSHS and HHSC, including information from the vital statistics unit and the Medicaid program, and hospitals, treatment centers, available surveys, and other relevant sources. The bill authorizes DSHS to accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to fund expenses incurred by DSHS in preparing the report. These provisions expire September 1, 2021.

S.B. 1145 requires DSHS to prepare a report on the prevalence of eating disorders among youth in Texas. The bill authorizes DSHS, when administering the Youth Risk Behavior Survey created by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to youth in Texas, to include additional questions as necessary to assist DSHS in assessing the prevalence of eating disorders among such youth for purposes of the report. The bill requires DSHS, not later than December 1, 2022, to submit to the legislature a copy of the report and a summary of the survey findings relating to the prevalence of eating disorders among such youth. The bill authorizes DSHS to post the report and summary on the DSHS website and authorizes DSHS to accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source to fund expenses incurred by DSHS in preparing the report. These provisions expire September 1, 2023.

S.B. 1145 establishes that DSHS is required to implement a provision of the bill only if DSHS receives gifts, grants, or donations specifically for that purpose or the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose and DSHS does not receive gifts, grants, or donations specifically for that purpose, DSHS may, but is not required to, implement a provision of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.