Pennsylvania Act 2006-74 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1929 - FEES CHARGED BY INSURANCE DEPARTMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CERVICAL CANCER TASK FORCE

Act text

Session of 2006

No. 2006-74

HB 801

AN ACT

Amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled "An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the Executive Department thereof and the administrative departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof, including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative officers, and of the several administrative departments, boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards, and commissions; and prescribing the manner in which the number and compensation of the deputies and all other assistants and employes of certain departments, boards and commissions shall be determined," further providing for fees charged by the Insurance Department; and authorizing and directing the Department of Health to establish a Cervical Cancer Task Force to evaluate and make recommendations for education and prevention of cervical cancer.

The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) According to Federal statistics, cervical cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed gynecological cancer among American women.

(2) Pennsylvania has the sixth highest rate of cervical cancer in the nation.

(3) Cervical cancer disproportionately affects minority women and women with lower incomes because they are less likely to have access to routine screening.

(4) According to the American Cancer Society, human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the primary cause of cervical cancer.

(5) Each year more than 5 million people acquire human papillomavirus, which is linked to cervical cancer in high-risk cases.

(6) With regular and accurate screening, cervical cancer is highly preventable.

(7) When found early, cervical cancer is highly curable.

(8) Approximately half of all cervical cancer cases are in women who have never been screened, and 10% of cases are in women who have not been screened within five years.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 612-A(1)(i) of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, amended December 23, 2003 (P.L.282, No.47), is amended to read:

Section 612-A. Insurance Department.--The Insurance Department is authorized to charge fees for the following purposes and in the following amounts:

(1) Insurance companies, associations or

exchanges:

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Section 2. The act is amended by adding an article to read:

ARTICLE XXI-B

CERVICAL CANCER EDUCATION AND PREVENTION

Section 2101-B. Short title of article.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the Cervical Cancer Education and Prevention Act.

Section 2102-B. Legislative intent.

The purpose of this article is to provide for education and prevention of cervical cancer.

Section 2103-B. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Plan." The Cervical Cancer Education and Prevention Plan.

"Task force." The Cervical Cancer Task Force established under section 2104-B.

Section 2104-B. Cervical Cancer Task Force.

(a) Establishment.--The Cervical Cancer Task Force is established in the department.

(b) Composition.--The Secretary of Health or a designee shall serve as chairperson of the task force. The Secretary of Health shall appoint the following members:

(1) A representative of the Healthy Women Project in the department.

(2) A representative of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program in the Department of Public Welfare.

(3) A gynecology oncologist.

(4) An epidemiologist.

(5) A public health professional.

(6) Two representatives of women's community health services.

(7) Two representatives of women's outreach and social services.

(8) Two representatives of health concerns of minority women.

Section 2105-B. Meetings.

The task force shall convene within 90 days after the appointments are made and published and shall meet at the discretion of the chairperson.

Section 2106-B. Compensation and expenses.

The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties. Such reimbursement shall be provided for through the department.

Section 2107-B. Duties.

The task force shall have the following duties:

(1) To develop, using existing resources, a plan to raise public awareness and educate women on the prevention, early screening and detection of cervical cancer and its relation to human papillomavirus (HPV).

(2) To identify new technologies, including newly introduced diagnostics and preventive therapies that are effective in preventing and controlling the risk of cervical cancer.

(3) To make recommendations concerning existing laws, regulations, programs and services relating to cervical cancer.

(4) To receive and consider reports and testimony from individuals, local health departments, community-based organizations, voluntary health organizations and other public and private organizations Statewide regarding education and prevention of cervical cancer, to learn more about their contributions to cervical cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment and their ideas for improving cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment in this Commonwealth.

(5) To facilitate coordination of and communication among State and local agencies and organizations to promote education and prevention of cervical cancer.

Section 2108-B. Report.

On or before November 30, 2007, the task force shall present a report to the chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the Senate and the chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives. The report shall present its findings and recommendations, including, but not limited to:

(1) Recommendations to raise public awareness on the prevention, early screening and detection of cervical cancer.

(2) Recommendations to reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer in women in this Commonwealth.

Section 2109-B. Expiration.

This article shall expire November 30, 2007.

Section 3. This act shall take effect as follows:

(1) The amendment of section 612-A(1)(i) of the act shall take effect immediately.

(2) The addition of Article XXI-B shall take effect in 60 days.

(3) The remainder of this act shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED--The 7th day of July, A. D. 2006.

EDWARD G. RENDELL