85R5924 JG-F
By: Cortez H.B. No. 970
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a state plan for Streptococcus
pneumoniae education and prevention.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 94A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 94A. STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE; EDUCATION
AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
Sec. 94A.001. STATE PLAN FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE. (a)
The department, using existing resources and programs to the extent
possible, shall develop a state plan for prevention and treatment
of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The plan must
include strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases caused
by Streptococcus pneumoniae in specific demographic groups that are
disproportionately affected by the diseases, including persons who
are elderly, children under two years of age, persons living in
long-term care facilities, persons with a chronic heart or lung
disease, smokers, and persons with asplenia.
(b) In developing the plan, the department shall seek the
advice of:
(1) the public, including members of the public who
have been infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae;
(2) each state agency that provides services to
persons infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae or that is assigned
duties related to diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae,
including any appropriate health and human services agency
described by Section 531.001, Government Code, the Employees
Retirement System of Texas, and the Teacher Retirement System of
Texas;
(3) any advisory body that addresses issues related to
diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae;
(4) public advocates concerned with issues related to
diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae;
(5) providers of services to persons with diseases
caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; and
(6) a statewide professional association of
physicians.
(c) The department shall review and modify as necessary the
state plan developed under this section at least once every five
years and may update the state plan biennially.
Sec. 94A.002. STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE EDUCATION AND
PREVENTION PROGRAM. (a) The department shall develop a program to
heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of
Streptococcus pneumoniae.
(b) The program developed under Subsection (a) must require
the department to:
(1) conduct health education, public awareness, and
community outreach activities to promote public awareness and
knowledge about the risk factors for, the value of early detection
of, available screening services for, and the options available for
the treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; and
(2) post on the department's Internet website the
options available for the prevention, treatment, and detection of
diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and information on the
risk factors for, method of transmission of, and value of early
detection of the diseases.
(c) The department, using existing resources, may include
in the program developed under Subsection (a) a study to estimate
the current and future impact on this state of diseases caused by
Streptococcus pneumoniae.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.