82R17340 ALB-F
	By: Coleman, Miles	H.B. No. 2312

	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.