89R15824 JTZ-F
By: Johnson S.B. No. 2120
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Task Force on Eating Disorders Prevalence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(3) "Task force" means the Task Force on Eating
Disorders Prevalence.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE. The Task Force on Eating Disorders
Prevalence is established to study, evaluate, and make
recommendations to the legislature based on the conclusions
published in the department's report, Eating Disorders Prevalence,
December 2024, regarding:
(1) treatment accessibility for individuals who have
low or no income and are living with an eating disorder;
(2) resource development for low- or no-income
individuals with an eating disorder living in rural areas;
(3) policy developments to assist residents of this
state with recovery from eating disorders;
(4) research and data collection to understand the
causes, prevalence, and effects of eating disorders on this state
and inform effective interventions and treatment;
(5) coordination of services and exploration of
collaboratives among various interested persons, including health
care providers, educators, mental health professionals, and
community organization members, to create an integrated and
cohesive response to eating disorders; and
(6) any recommendations for legislative or other
action necessary to assist people with eating disorders in this
state.
SECTION 3. TASK FORCE COMPOSITION. The task force is
composed of 14 members with expertise in eating disorders,
appointed by the executive commissioner of the commission as
follows:
(1) three members, each of whom specializes and has at
least five years of experience in treating eating disorders at a
health care facility or in private practice, including:
(A) at least one licensed professional counselor
as defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code; and
(B) at least one licensed clinical social worker
as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code;
(2) two members who are physicians, each of whom
specializes and has at least five years of experience in treating
eating disorders;
(3) three members, each of whom is an employee of a
nonprofit organization that serves low- or no-income populations
and is a professional specializing in mental illness or drugs and
alcohol;
(4) two members of the public, each of whom:
(A) has experience as a caregiver to someone
living with an eating disorder; or
(B) has been diagnosed with an eating disorder;
(5) one member who is an attorney with expertise in
mental health issues;
(6) two certified nutritionists, each of whom
specializes and has at least five years of experience in treating
eating disorders; and
(7) one member representing any other entity as the
task force considers necessary.
SECTION 4. OFFICERS. (a) The task force shall, at its
initial meeting, elect from among the task force members a
presiding officer who will be responsible for calling and
conducting meetings.
(b) The task force may elect an assistant presiding officer
and secretary from among the task force members.
SECTION 5. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at least
two times each year, at a time and place determined by the presiding
officer of the task force.
(b) The task force may meet at other times the task force
considers appropriate. The presiding officer may call a meeting on
the presiding officer's own motion.
(c) The task force may meet by teleconference.
SECTION 6. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the
task force may not receive compensation or reimbursement for the
member's service on the task force.
SECTION 7. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The task force may
accept gifts, grants, or donations on behalf of the task force to
carry out the task force's duties under this Act.
SECTION 8. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
SECTION 9. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1, 2026,
the task force shall submit a written report on the task force's
evaluations, conclusions, recommendations, and summaries to the
legislature.
(b) The task force may post written evaluations,
conclusions, recommendations, and summaries on the department's
Internet website.
SECTION 10. ABOLISHMENT; EXPIRATION. The task force is
abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2025.