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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a public information campaign to raise |
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awareness of the Texas Compassionate Use Program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) The legislature finds that: |
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(1) the Texas Compassionate Use Program provides legal |
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access to low-THC cannabis for patients with certain medical |
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conditions; |
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(2) many eligible patients, caregivers, and health |
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care providers are unaware of the program and the program's |
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benefits; and |
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(3) increasing public awareness will ensure that more |
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qualifying patients can access this medical treatment. |
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(b) The purpose of this Act is to establish a statewide |
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public information campaign to educate the public and health care |
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providers about the Texas Compassionate Use Program. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 487, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN |
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Sec. 487.301. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "program" |
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means the compassionate use program established under this chapter. |
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Sec. 487.302. PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN. (a) The |
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department shall develop and implement a public information |
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campaign to raise awareness of the program using various |
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communication channels to disseminate information regarding the |
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program. |
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(b) The campaign must: |
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(1) provide accurate, evidence-based information on |
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eligibility, enrollment, and access to the program; |
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(2) target eligible patients, caregivers, health care |
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professionals, and the general public; |
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(3) use multiple media platforms, including: |
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(A) a dedicated Internet website and online |
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resources; |
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(B) social media campaigns; |
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(C) television and radio advertisements; |
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(D) print materials and billboards; and |
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(E) educational materials for health care |
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providers; and |
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(4) partner with medical associations, patient |
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advocacy groups, and local health departments to enhance outreach |
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efforts. |
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Sec. 487.303. BUDGET; FUNDING. (a) The department shall |
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prepare a projected budget estimate detailing anticipated costs, |
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including media production, distribution, and outreach activities. |
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(b) The department may use any funds appropriated or |
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otherwise made available for the purposes of the campaign and |
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accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the campaign. |
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(c) The department may seek federal and private funding |
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sources to ensure the campaign's implementation. |
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Sec. 487.304. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. (a) The department, |
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in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, shall analyze key |
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performance indicators to measure the campaign's success and shall |
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annually submit a report to the legislature assessing the |
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effectiveness of the campaign and suggesting necessary adjustments |
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to improve the campaign. |
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(b) The report required by Subsection (a) must include: |
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(1) information regarding the implementation and |
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reach of the public information campaign; |
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(2) metrics on public awareness before and after the |
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campaign; and |
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(3) recommendations for improving outreach efforts. |
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Sec. 487.305. RULES. (a) The department shall adopt rules |
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necessary to implement this subchapter, including rules governing |
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the content, format, and distribution of public information |
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materials regarding the program. The rules adopted by the |
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department must: |
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(1) ensure that all public information materials are |
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consistent with state law and medical guidelines; |
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(2) establish a process for periodic review and |
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updates of public information materials to reflect current |
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scientific research and legal changes; and |
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(3) define the scope and limitations of the |
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department's authority in overseeing the public information |
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campaign. |
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(b) The department shall provide a mechanism for public and |
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stakeholder input in the rulemaking process. |
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SECTION 3. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the |
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Department of Public Safety shall implement the public awareness |
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campaign required by Subchapter G, Chapter 487, Health and Safety |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) Not later than December 31, 2026, the Department of |
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Public Safety shall submit to the legislature the first report |
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required by Section 487.304, Health and Safety Code, as added by |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |