Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3729 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	89R15743 RDR-F
2	2	By: Reynolds H.B. No. 3729
3	3
4	4
5	5
6	6
7	7	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8	AN ACT
9	9	relating to the creation of a public information campaign to raise
10	10	awareness of the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
11	11	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
12	12	SECTION 1. (a) The legislature finds that:
13	13	(1) the Texas Compassionate Use Program provides legal
14	14	access to low-THC cannabis for patients with certain medical
15	15	conditions;
16	16	(2) many eligible patients, caregivers, and health
17	17	care providers are unaware of the program and the program's
18	18	benefits; and
19	19	(3) increasing public awareness will ensure that more
20	20	qualifying patients can access this medical treatment.
21	21	(b) The purpose of this Act is to establish a statewide
22	22	public information campaign to educate the public and health care
23	23	providers about the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
24	24	SECTION 2. Chapter 487, Health and Safety Code, is amended
25	25	by adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
26	26	SUBCHAPTER G. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
27	27	Sec. 487.301. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "program"
28	28	means the compassionate use program established under this chapter.
29	29	Sec. 487.302. PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN. (a) The
30	30	department shall develop and implement a public information
31	31	campaign to raise awareness of the program using various
32	32	communication channels to disseminate information regarding the
33	33	program.
34	34	(b) The campaign must:
35	35	(1) provide accurate, evidence-based information on
36	36	eligibility, enrollment, and access to the program;
37	37	(2) target eligible patients, caregivers, health care
38	38	professionals, and the general public;
39	39	(3) use multiple media platforms, including:
40	40	(A) a dedicated Internet website and online
41	41	resources;
42	42	(B) social media campaigns;
43	43	(C) television and radio advertisements;
44	44	(D) print materials and billboards; and
45	45	(E) educational materials for health care
46	46	providers; and
47	47	(4) partner with medical associations, patient
48	48	advocacy groups, and local health departments to enhance outreach
49	49	efforts.
50	50	Sec. 487.303. BUDGET; FUNDING. (a) The department shall
51	51	prepare a projected budget estimate detailing anticipated costs,
52	52	including media production, distribution, and outreach activities.
53	53	(b) The department may use any funds appropriated or
54	54	otherwise made available for the purposes of the campaign and
55	55	accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the campaign.
56	56	(c) The department may seek federal and private funding
57	57	sources to ensure the campaign's implementation.
58	58	Sec. 487.304. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. (a) The department,
59	59	in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, shall analyze key
60	60	performance indicators to measure the campaign's success and shall
61	61	annually submit a report to the legislature assessing the
62	62	effectiveness of the campaign and suggesting necessary adjustments
63	63	to improve the campaign.
64	64	(b) The report required by Subsection (a) must include:
65	65	(1) information regarding the implementation and
66	66	reach of the public information campaign;
67	67	(2) metrics on public awareness before and after the
68	68	campaign; and
69	69	(3) recommendations for improving outreach efforts.
70	70	Sec. 487.305. RULES. (a) The department shall adopt rules
71	71	necessary to implement this subchapter, including rules governing
72	72	the content, format, and distribution of public information
73	73	materials regarding the program. The rules adopted by the
74	74	department must:
75	75	(1) ensure that all public information materials are
76	76	consistent with state law and medical guidelines;
77	77	(2) establish a process for periodic review and
78	78	updates of public information materials to reflect current
79	79	scientific research and legal changes; and
80	80	(3) define the scope and limitations of the
81	81	department's authority in overseeing the public information
82	82	campaign.
83	83	(b) The department shall provide a mechanism for public and
84	84	stakeholder input in the rulemaking process.
85	85	SECTION 3. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the
86	86	Department of Public Safety shall implement the public awareness
87	87	campaign required by Subchapter G, Chapter 487, Health and Safety
88	88	Code, as added by this Act.
89	89	(b) Not later than December 31, 2026, the Department of
90	90	Public Safety shall submit to the legislature the first report
91	91	required by Section 487.304, Health and Safety Code, as added by
92	92	this Act.
93	93	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.