BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1313
86R12087 EAS-F	By: Lucio
	Health & Human Services
	3/19/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Concerned local public health officials reported in 2018 that obesity occurs at higher rates in border communities than in non-border communities. In 2015, for example, the obesity burden in border counties was at 35.1 percent, compared to 31.9 percent in non-border counties. The border county obesity prevalence rate of 35.1 percent can be compared to the top five states in the nation. Public health officials caution that the state should undertake some steps in addressing the obesity prevalence in border communities since it leads to increased morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases of childhood, asthma, and some forms of cancer.

 

The prevalence of diabetes along the border continues to increase in alarming rates. In 2015, for example, the diabetes burden in border counties was at 13.9 percent prevalence compared to 11.2 percent in non-border counties. Local health officials contend that it is more cost-effective to address preventable chronic diseases early to avoid early death, morbidity, and disability secondary to chronic diseases.

 

In order to address these concerns, S.B. 1313 directs the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to develop and implement a school-based demonstration program, focusing on childhood obesity, as well as a chronic disease prevention demonstration program for adults. It also provides for DSHS to work with the appropriate medical and health education (public and higher) experts, as well as with state agencies. S.B. 1313 also directs DSHS to share strategies, best practices, and recommendations that DSHS determines are successful in addressing childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention with appropriate entities in each respective county.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1313 amends current law relating to demonstration programs for childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention in certain border counties.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Service Commission in SECTION 1 (Sections 90.0008, Health and Safety Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 90, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 90. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE IN CERTAIN BORDER COUNTIES

 

Sec. 90.0001. DEFINITION. Defines "border county."

 

Sec. 90.0002. ESTABLISHMENT. Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to establish the childhood obesity prevention demonstration program and the chronic disease prevention demonstration program under this chapter in counties that:

 

(1) are adjacent to the international border with Mexico; and

 

(2) have a population of less than 800,000 and more than 400,000.

 

Sec. 90.0003. CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. (a) Requires DSHS, to the extent funds are available, to develop and implement a school-based demonstration program to address childhood obesity and related chronic diseases in each county to which this chapter applies.

 

(b) Requires the demonstration program to be evidence-based and culturally appropriate.

 

(c) Requires DSHS, in developing the childhood obesity prevention demonstration program under Subsection (a), to prioritize appropriate collaborations with certain persons and representatives of certain entities.

 

Sec. 90.0004. CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. (a) Requires DSHS, to the extent funds are available, to establish a chronic disease prevention demonstration program for adults residing in each county to which this chapter applies.

 

(b) Requires DSHS, in establishing the chronic disease prevention demonstration program under Subsection (a), to prioritize appropriate collaboration with certain persons and representatives of certain entities.

 

Sec. 90.0005. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOLS AND OTHER ENTITIES. Requires DSHS, based on the results of the demonstration programs established under this chapter, 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 county to which this chapter applies.

 

Sec. 90.0006. EVALUATION. Requires DSHS to evaluate the effectiveness of the demonstration programs established under this chapter not later than September 1, 2029.

 

Sec. 90.0007. REPORT. Requires DSHS, not later than November 1, 2029, to submit a written or electronic report on the demonstration programs established under this chapter to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature. Requires the report to include:

 

(1) a summary of the programs;

 

(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs; and

 

(3) recommendations on whether the programs should be continued, expanded to other border counties, or terminated.

 

Sec. 90.0008. RULES. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.