BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1313

By: Lucio

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the levels of obesity and chronic disease in border communities. It has been suggested that measures should be taken to address obesity, as obesity may lead to later negative health effects, and that it is more cost-effective to address preventable chronic diseases early to avoid more major negative health effects that may develop later. S.B. 1313 seeks to address these concerns by requiring the Department of State Health Services to establish the childhood obesity prevention demonstration program and the chronic disease prevention demonstration program in certain border counties.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1313 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), to the extent funds are available, to establish the following demonstration programs in counties that are adjacent to the international border with Mexico and that have a population of less than 800,000 and more than 400,000:

·         a school-based childhood obesity prevention demonstration program to address childhood obesity and related chronic diseases; and

·         a chronic disease prevention demonstration program for adults residing in an applicable county.

S.B. 1313 requires the childhood obesity prevention demonstration program to be evidence‑based and culturally appropriate. The bill requires DSHS, in developing the demonstration programs, to prioritize certain appropriate collaborations, as specified by the bill for each program.

S.B. 1313 requires DSHS, based on the results of the demonstration programs, to share the strategies, best practices, and recommendations DSHS determines are successful in addressing childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention with public schools and other appropriate entities in each applicable county. The bill requires DSHS to evaluate the effectiveness of the demonstration programs not later than September 1, 2029. The bill requires DSHS, not later than November 1, 2029, to submit a written or electronic report on the demonstration programs to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature and requires the report to include the following:

·         a summary of the programs;

·         an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs; and

·         recommendations on whether the programs should be continued, expanded to other applicable border counties, or terminated.

S.B. 1313 requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules as necessary to implement the bill's provisions. The bill requires DSHS to implement a provision of the bill only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money 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

September 1, 2019.