By: Lucio, et al. S.B. No. 1313
(Guerra)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to demonstration programs for childhood obesity and
chronic disease prevention in certain border counties.
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 90 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 90. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD OBESITY
AND CHRONIC DISEASE IN CERTAIN BORDER COUNTIES
Sec. 90.0001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "border county"
means a county adjacent to this state's international border with
Mexico.
Sec. 90.0002. ESTABLISHMENT. The department shall
establish the childhood obesity prevention demonstration program
and the chronic disease prevention demonstration program under this
chapter in counties that:
(1) are adjacent to the international border with
Mexico; and
(2) have a population of less than 800,000 and more
than 400,000.
Sec. 90.0003. CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM. (a) To the extent funds are available, the department
shall develop and implement a school-based demonstration program to
address childhood obesity and related chronic diseases in each
county to which this chapter applies.
(b) The demonstration program must be evidence-based and
culturally appropriate.
(c) In developing the childhood obesity prevention
demonstration program under Subsection (a), the department shall
prioritize appropriate collaborations with:
(1) medical professionals specializing in obesity
prevention;
(2) experts in public health;
(3) representatives of health science centers;
(4) experts in public and higher education;
(5) representatives of local school health advisory
councils;
(6) interested parties from the counties
participating in the program;
(7) a representative from the Texas Education Agency;
(8) a representative from the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board; and
(9) representatives from other appropriate state
agencies.
Sec. 90.0004. CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM. (a) To the extent funds are available, the department
shall establish a chronic disease prevention demonstration program
for adults residing in each county to which this chapter applies.
(b) In establishing the chronic disease prevention
demonstration program under Subsection (a), the department shall
prioritize appropriate collaboration with:
(1) medical professionals specializing in chronic
disease treatment;
(2) representatives from hospitals licensed under
Chapter 241;
(3) representatives from academic centers located in
border counties; and
(4) a representative from a medical school in the
immediate border region.
Sec. 90.0005. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOLS AND OTHER
ENTITIES. The department, based on the results of the
demonstration programs established under this chapter, shall share
the strategies, best practices, and recommendations the department
determines are successful in addressing childhood obesity and
chronic disease prevention with public schools and other
appropriate entities in each county to which this chapter applies.
Sec. 90.0006. EVALUATION. The department shall evaluate
the effectiveness of the demonstration programs established under
this chapter not later than September 1, 2029.
Sec. 90.0007. REPORT. Not later than November 1, 2029, the
department shall submit a written or electronic report on the
demonstration programs established under this chapter to the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and each member of the legislature. The report must include:
(1) a summary of the programs;
(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the
programs; and
(3) recommendations on whether the programs should be
continued, expanded to other border counties, or terminated.
Sec. 90.0008. RULES. The executive commissioner shall
adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter.
SECTION 2. The Department of State Health Services is
required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If
the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a
provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that
purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.