Pennsylvania Act 1998-71 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1929, THE - AMEND OSTEOPOROSIS

Act text

Session of 1998

No. 1998-71

HB 135

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," providing for an osteoporosis prevention and education program; eliminating the expiration period of televised international and interstate simulcastings of horse races; and making repeals.

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

Section 1. The act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, is amended by adding an article to read:

ARTICLE XXI-A

OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

Section 2101-A. Scope.--This article governs osteoporosis prevention and education.

Section 2102-A. 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" shall mean the Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Health care provider" shall mean a physician, registered nurse, dentist, podiatrist, psychologist, physical therapist, certified registered nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, chiropractor, home health provider, hospital, rehabilitation hospital or long-term care facility.

"Program" shall mean the Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program established under section 2103-A.

Section 2103-A. Program.--(a) The department shall establish the Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program.

(b) The department shall provide staff support and departmental resources as necessary to implement the program.

(c) The department shall identify appropriate public and nonpublic entities to assist in the implementation and operation of the program.

(d) The department shall collect and maintain up-to-date scientific and other information that will increase public awareness and contribute to education programs, including, but not limited to, risk factors, appropriate diet and exercise, diagnostic procedures, Food and Drug Administration-approved drug therapies, rehabilitation and safety and injury prevention measures.

(e) The department shall develop relationships with governmental agencies, community and business leaders, community organizations, health care and human service providers and national osteoporosis organizations to coordinate efforts and maximize public and private resources in the areas of prevention, education and treatment.

Section 2104-A. Public Awareness and Education.--(a) The program shall include methods to raise public awareness and to educate consumers, health care professionals, teachers and human service providers and to engage in related activities as appropriate.

(b) The department shall use various methods for raising public awareness of the causes and effects of osteoporosis, personal risk factors, prevention, early detection and options for diagnosis and treatment, including, but not limited to:

(1) An outreach campaign utilizing print, radio and television public service announcements, advertisements, posters and other materials.

(2) Community forums.

(3) Distribution of information at public events.

(4) Targeting of at-risk populations.

(5) Provision of reliable information to policymakers.

(6) Distribution of information through county and district health offices, city and county health departments, schools, area agencies on aging, employer wellness programs, health care providers, insurers, including health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit and community organizations.

(c) The department shall use methods to educate consumers of osteoporosis-related services, including, but not limited to:

(1) The provision of available brochures, videotapes and other materials.

(2) The establishment of a Statewide capacity to provide information on all aspects of osteoporosis.

(3) The provision of educational information to consumers of osteoporosis-related services through the use of a toll-free number.

(4) The provision of assistance and encouragement to osteoporosis support groups.

(5) The provision of assistance to groups that conduct workshops and seminars for the public.

(d) The department shall use methods for educating health care and community service providers regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment, detection and treatment, including Food and Drug Administration-approved medications and research advances, including, but not limited to:

(1) The identification and collection of educational materials for professionals.

(2) The increase in awareness among health care and human service providers regarding the importance of prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation.

(3) The identification of available curricula for educating health care and human service providers and community groups and leaders on prevention, detection and treatment.

(4) The encouragement of workshops and seminars for professional development in the care and management of osteoporosis patients.

(5) The initiation of Statewide conferences on osteoporosis as appropriate.

Section 2105-A. Repository.--(a) The department shall develop and maintain a repository of information provided to the department regarding the following:

(1) Research programs.

(2) Information on technical assistance for health care and human service providers and organizations.

(3) Services that may be required by osteoporosis patients.

(4) Information on types of services available to osteoporosis patients in this Commonwealth.

(5) Information received from health care providers relating to the number and location of appropriate bone density testing facilities providing services in this Commonwealth.

(b) The department shall provide health care and health service providers and organizations with information regarding the contents of the repository and procedures to access the information maintained in the repository.

Section 2106-A. Technical Assistance.--(a) The department shall provide technical assistance regarding the development of osteoporosis programs and materials, including, but not limited to:

(1) Educational information and materials on the causes, prevention, detection, treatment and management of osteoporosis.

(2) Training.

(3) Health care professional education, which may include clinical conferences.

(4) Support groups development.

(5) Training of home health aides and nursing home personnel.

(b) The department may consult with national or State organizations with expertise in osteoporosis to obtain assistance in the implementation of the program.

Section 2107-A. Grant Acceptance.--The department may accept grants, services and property from the Federal Government, foundations, organizations, medical schools and other entities as may be available to carry out the provisions of this article.

Section 2108-A. Reporting.--On or before December 31 of each year, the department shall report to the General Assembly on the establishment, implementation and operation of the program.

Section 2. The following acts and parts of acts are repealed to the extent specified:

Section 4 of the act of June 7, 1993 (P.L.86, No.18), entitled "An act amending the act of December 17, 1981 (P.L.435, No.135), entitled 'An act providing for the regulation of pari-mutuel thoroughbred horse racing and harness horse racing activities; imposing certain taxes and providing for the disposition of funds from pari-mutuel tickets,' further providing for general powers of the commission, for the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Fund and for simulcasting of horse races," absolutely.

Section 3. This act shall take effect as follows:

(1) Section 2 of this act and this section shall take effect immediately.

(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 18th day of June, A. D. 1998.

THOMAS J. RIDGE