86R15936 EAS-F

By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 2151

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Texas Diabetes Council and the state plan for diabetes and obesity treatment and education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 103.001(2), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(2) "Person with diabetes" means a person diagnosed [by a physician] as having diabetes based on nationally recognized standards.

SECTION 2. Sections 103.002(a), (b), and (c), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The Texas Diabetes Council is composed of 11 citizen members appointed from the public and one representative each from the department, the commission, the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and the Texas Workforce Commission vocational rehabilitation services division [Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services].

(b) The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the following citizen members:

(1) a licensed physician with a specialization in treating diabetes;

(2) a registered nurse with a specialization in diabetes education and training;

(3) a registered and licensed dietitian with a specialization in the diabetes education field;

(4) a person with experience and training in public health policy;

(5) three consumer members, with special consideration given to persons active in the Texas affiliates of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the American Association of Diabetes Educators, or the American Diabetes Association; and

(6) four members from the general public with expertise or demonstrated commitment to diabetes issues.

(c) The commissioner, executive commissioner, executive director of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, executive director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and the director of the Texas Workforce Commission vocational rehabilitation services division [commissioner of assistive and rehabilitative services] shall appoint that agency's representative to the council. Agency representatives shall be nonvoting members of the council.

SECTION 3. Section 103.010, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 103.010. STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. (a) Each agency represented on the council shall provide the council with periodic staff support of specialists as needed and may provide staff support to an advisory committee.

(b) The department shall provide administrative support to the council by providing research services and preparing any reports required under this chapter.

SECTION 4. Section 103.011, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 103.011. ADVISORY COMMITTEES; WORK GROUPS. (a) The council may establish advisory committees or work groups that the council considers necessary and may determine the appropriate membership for each committee or group.

(b) The council shall specify the purpose and duties of each advisory committee or work group and shall specify any product the committee is required to develop.

(c) Members of an advisory committee or work group serve at the will of the council. The council may dissolve an advisory committee or work group when necessary.

SECTION 5. Section 103.013, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) The state plan may include provisions to address obesity treatment, education, and training related to:

(1) obesity-dependent diabetes; and

(2) the health impacts of obesity on a person with diabetes.

SECTION 6. Sections 103.014(a) and (c), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The council shall address contemporary issues affecting health promotion services in the state, including:

(1) professional and patient education;

(2) evidence-based [successful] diabetes self-management education strategies;

(3) evidence-based strategies to achieve the council's mission [personnel preparation and continuing education];

(4) state expenditures for the prevention, detection, management, and treatment of diabetes and obesity [chronic diseases]; and

(5) [screening services; and

[(6)] public awareness of the specific risks and benefits of prevention, detection, management, and treatment of diabetes, including obesity-dependent diabetes.

(c) The council may establish priorities and make recommendations for program expenditures that align with the council's mission[:

[(1) compile and publish regional directories of services for persons with diabetes;

[(2) design or adapt and publish a handbook in English and Spanish relating to diet, exercise, and other self-care management skills for persons with diabetes;

[(3) study the feasibility of a statewide hotline for persons with diabetes; and

[(4) study the standards and structure of pilot programs to provide diabetes education and training in this state].

SECTION 7. Sections 103.017(a) and (c), Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The department, commission, and Texas Workforce Commission vocational rehabilitation services division [Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services] shall work with the council to jointly develop, produce, and implement a general public awareness strategy focusing on diabetes, its complications, and techniques for achieving good management. Each agency shall pay for the costs of producing and disseminating information on diabetes to clients served by that agency.

(c) The department, commission, and Texas Workforce Commission vocational rehabilitation services division [Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services] may jointly develop and implement a statewide plan for conducting regional training sessions for public and private service providers, including institutional health care providers, who have routine contact with persons with diabetes.

SECTION 8. Section 103.0175, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 103.0175. MATERIALS FOR SCHOOL-BASED AND SCHOOL-LINKED CLINICS. The council, in consultation with the department and the Texas Education Agency, shall develop and make available materials that provide information about diabetes to be distributed to students and the parents of students by health clinics at public primary or secondary schools.

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.