SLS 23RS-361 ORIGINAL 2023 Regular Session SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 32 BY SENATOR PRICE HEALTH CARE. Creates the Task Force on Alopecia Awareness. 1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION 2 To create and provide for the Task Force on Alopecia Awareness within the Louisiana 3 Department of Health. 4 WHEREAS, alopecia is the medical term for the partial or complete absence of hair 5 from areas of the body where it normally grows; and 6 WHEREAS, alopecia impacts the lives of more than eighty million people in the 7 United States and can affect individuals of any age, sex, race, or ethnicity; and 8 WHEREAS, alopecia can appear gradually or suddenly depending on the underlying 9 cause and can involve the scalp or whole body; and 10 WHEREAS, there is no single treatment option that works for everyone, leading to 11 a desperate need for the development of a wide range of novel therapies; and 12 WHEREAS, alopecia is commonly related to heredity, hormonal imbalance, 13 medications, health conditions, chemotherapy, radiation, autoimmune disease, poor nutrition, 14 crash diets, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, toxins and pollutants, poor scalp hygiene, 15 improper grooming, excessive tension on the hair follicles, mechanical damage, over 16 processing of chemicals, nervous habits, physical trauma, and emotional stress; and 17 WHEREAS, the experience of hair loss can be psychologically damaging and may 18 cause intense emotional suffering, often leading to personal, social, and work-related Page 1 of 4 SCR NO. 32 SLS 23RS-361 ORIGINAL 1 problems; and 2 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature finds that it is important for the health and 3 wellbeing of the residents of Louisiana to promote awareness of alopecia and other hair and 4 scalp disorders, and to support those individuals affected by these conditions. 5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 6 establish and provide for the Task Force on Alopecia Awareness, within the Louisiana 7 Department of Health, to study and make recommendations on increasing awareness of 8 alopecia and other hair and scalp disorders and their effect on the wellbeing of individuals 9 living with these conditions. 10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force should include consideration of 11 information to be included on the Louisiana Department of Health's website to increase 12 public access to information regarding alopecia and other hair and scalp disorders. 13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following 14 members: 15 (1) A trichologist, appointed by the state senator representing Senate District No. 2, 16 who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force. 17 (2) The state health officer, or his designee. 18 (3) A representative of the office of public health, appointed by the secretary of the 19 Louisiana Department of Health. 20 (3) Two physicians with experience in diagnosing and treating hair loss, appointed 21 by the executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. 22 (4) One licensed cosmetologist, appointed by the executive director of the Louisiana 23 State Board of Cosmetology. 24 (5) One licensed barber, appointed by the president of the Board of Barber 25 Examiners. 26 (6) Two members of the public with personal experience with alopecia, appointed 27 by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. 28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the 29 names of designees to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health no later than 30 July 1, 2023. Page 2 of 4 SCR NO. 32 SLS 23RS-361 ORIGINAL 1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no 2 later than August 1, 2023, at the call of the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, 3 and at the first meeting, the members shall elect any other officers as the task force may 4 deem appropriate. 5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting this study the task force may seek 6 input and advice from any interested stakeholders including individuals who have personally 7 experienced hair loss or who have loved ones experiencing hair loss; trichologists, 8 dermatologists, dermatopathologists, nurses, and other clinicians specializing in the fields 9 of trichology, dermatology, and dermatopathology; and other licensed professionals 10 specializing in hair and scalp disorders or hair loss. 11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force shall constitute a 12 quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force shall require the 13 affirmative vote of a majority of the members. 14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve 15 without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be 16 individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations. 17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall provide a written report of 18 findings and recommendations, including any specific proposals for legislation, to the 19 secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the Senate and House committees on health 20 and welfare, and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 21 24:771 and 772, no later than January 1, 2024. 22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the 23 submission of its report or January 8, 2024, whichever occurs first. 24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the 25 the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, the 26 Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology, and the Board of Barber Examiners. Page 3 of 4 SCR NO. 32 SLS 23RS-361 ORIGINAL The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon. DIGEST SCR 32 Original 2023 Regular Session Price Establishes and provides for the Task Force on Alopecia Awareness to study and make recommendations on increasing awareness of alopecia and other hair and scalp disorders and their effect on the wellbeing of individuals living with these conditions. 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