2007 Montana Legislature

SENATE BILL NO. 505

INTRODUCED BY C. SQUIRES

AN ACT RENEWING THE CERVICAL CANCER TASK FORCE; ADDING A PEDIATRICIAN TO THE TASK FORCE; IDENTIFYING STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATING THE PUBLIC REGARDING AVAILABILITY AND EFFICACY OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE; AMENDING SECTION 50-1-211, MCA, AND SECTION 4, CHAPTER 404, LAWS OF 2005; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, human papillomavirus (HPV) disease is a communicable disease that can be transmitted from person to person through intimate sexual contact and is a significant cause of cervical cancer, and recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine that is effective in women in preventing the occurrence of some HPV disease and, thereby, in reducing the occurrence of cervical cancer; and

WHEREAS, as with all vaccines, HPV vaccine is most effective if given prior to exposure to the HPV virus, and accordingly, many states, school districts, public health authorities, and parents are contemplating the advisability of providing HPV vaccinations as a precautionary measure; and

WHEREAS, there has been a task force on cervical cancer established in the State of Montana under the Department of Public Health and Human Services that, when initiated, was charged with providing a report to the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee on August 1, 2006, and was to terminate as of June 30, 2007; and

WHEREAS, because the task force is ideally situated to consider key issues related to HPV vaccination and to advise the Department and the Legislature regarding those issues, it is advisable to extend the tenure of the task force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 50-1-211, MCA, is amended to read:

"50-1-211. (Temporary) Task force on cervical cancer. (1) There is a task force on cervical cancer established in the department of public health and human services.

(2) The task force must be composed of at least 6 7 and no more than 10 members and must include:

(a) an obstetrician-gynecologist;

(b) a registered nurse;

(d) a member from the cancer research community;

(e) the a state epidemiologist; and

(f) a cervical cancer survivor.; and

(g) a pediatrician.

(3) The task force members must be appointed by the director to 2-year terms. The task force shall meet quarterly as needed. The task force members must may be reimbursed for expenses as provided in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503. Additional members may be added to the task force upon a majority vote of the members.

(4) The task force shall:

(a) review statistical and qualitative data on the prevalence and burden of cervical cancer in Montana use and effectiveness of the human papillomavirus vaccine;

(b) raise public awareness on the causes and nature of cervical cancer;

(c)(b) identify strategies and new technologies that are effective in preventing and controlling the risk of cervical cancer for educating the public regarding the availability and efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccine, including appropriate methods for informing and educating parents and adolescents about the risks of human papillomavirus disease, modes of transmission, and availability of vaccine;

(d)(c) identify and examine the limitations of existing laws, regulations, programs, and services with regard to coverage and awareness issues for cervical cancer immunizations;

(d) consider the medical, social, financial, and ethical implications of requiring human papillomavirus vaccination of adolescents for continued enrollment in school;

(e) include information and strategies relating to cervical cancer in a state comprehensive cancer control program;

(f)(e) facilitate coordination of and communication between state and local agencies and organizations;

(g)(f) receive and consider reports and testimony from individuals, including cervical cancer survivors, from leaders in on the issue of cervical cancer, and from local health departments, community-based organizations, and voluntary health organizations, and from other public and private organizations statewide to learn more about contributions to prognosis, prevention, treatment, and improvement of cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in Montana.

(5) The task force shall issue a report to the children, families, health, and human services interim committee by August 1, 2006 2008:

(a) identifying the full impact of cervical cancer in Montana;

(b) recommending strategies or actions to the department to reduce the occurrence of and burden and costs caused by cervical cancer; and

(a) detailing its findings regarding the use and efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccine in adolescents;

(b) recommending strategies or actions regarding vaccination of adolescents; and

(c) recommending strategies or actions for the education of the public regarding human papillomavirus disease, modes of transmission, and availability of vaccine. (Terminates June 30, 2007 2009 --sec. 4, Ch. 404, L. 2005.)"

Section 2. Section 4, Chapter 404, Laws of 2005, is amended to read:

"Section 4. Termination. [This act] terminates June 30, 2007 2009."

Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.

- END -

Latest Version of SB 505 (SB0505.ENR)
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