By: Coleman, Miles (Senate Sponsor - West) H.B. No. 2312
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2011;
May 5, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 13, 2011, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 13, 2011, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a sickle cell disease program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. SICKLE CELL DISEASE PROGRAM
Sec. 33.051. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Health and human services agency" means a health
and human services agency listed by Section 531.001, Government
Code.
(4) "Program" means the sickle cell disease program
established under this subchapter.
(5) "Sickle cell disease" means any variant of sickle
cell disease, including sickle cell anemia and sickle cell
thalassemia.
Sec. 33.052. DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT. The department shall:
(1) identify efforts related to the expansion and
coordination of education, treatment, and continuity of care
programs for individuals with sickle cell trait and sickle cell
disease;
(2) assist the advisory committee created under
Section 33.053; and
(3) provide the advisory committee created under
Section 33.053 with staff support necessary for the advisory
committee to fulfill its duties.
Sec. 33.053. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The governor shall
appoint an advisory committee composed of 11 members, including a
program administrator. The members must be located in
geographically diverse areas of the state and must be interested in
and knowledgeable about sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.
In making appointments to the advisory committee, the governor
shall consider appointing members who are:
(1) representatives of a community agency;
(2) state or local officials responsible for public
health, social services, or rehabilitation;
(3) representatives from educational institutions,
including schools and universities;
(4) physicians and other health care providers; and
(5) persons with, or relatives of persons with, sickle
cell trait or sickle cell disease.
(b) Members of the advisory committee serve staggered
three-year terms, with the terms of three or four members expiring
each year.
(c) The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year.
(d) The advisory committee shall conduct a needs assessment
and advise the department and the program administrator regarding
the needs of individuals with sickle cell trait and sickle cell
disease and make recommendations, including recommendations
regarding legislative action, department rules, and program
administration.
(e) The program administrator shall report periodically to
the executive commissioner and annually to the governor regarding
the advisory committee's activities and findings.
(f) A member of the advisory committee is not entitled to
compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for travel or other
expenses incurred while conducting the business of the advisory
committee as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
advisory committee.
Sec. 33.054. GRANTS. (a) The program administrator shall
investigate and identify grants and other funding mechanisms for
entities that:
(1) provide education regarding sickle cell trait and
sickle cell disease;
(2) improve the detection of sickle cell trait and
sickle cell disease and the treatment of sickle cell disease;
(3) coordinate delivery of services for people with
sickle cell disease;
(4) provide access to information regarding genetic
testing and counseling;
(5) bundle technical services related to the
prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease; and
(6) provide training for health professionals
regarding sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.
(b) The program administrator shall award grants, if
possible, to eligible organizations in different regions of this
state.
(c) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations of money from the federal government, local governments,
private corporations, and other persons to be used for the purpose
of awarding grants under the program.
Sec. 33.055. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules to implement this subchapter.
Sec. 33.056. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September
1, 2017.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
* * * * *