HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

729

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that of cancers affecting men and women, cancer of the colon and rectum, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.  In 2011, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 135,260 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, including 70,099 men and 65,161 women.  That same year, 51,783 people in the United States died from colorectal cancer, including 26,804 men and 24,979 women.  According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2014, it is estimated that there were 136,830 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the United States and 50,310 deaths due to the disease.

     The legislature further finds that cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Hawaii.  Each year, almost 6,000 people throughout the State are diagnosed with cancer, and more than 2,000 die from the disease.  According to the Hawaii Tumor Registry of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, colorectal cancer is the third-most diagnosed form of cancer in men and the second-most diagnosed form of cancer in women in the State.  Colorectal cancer is also the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and the third-leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the State.

     The legislature additionally finds that because colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum, screening tests are an easy and effective method to find precancerous polyps and detect colorectal cancer in its early stages.

     The legislature also finds that a screening program will increase detections of any cancer at an early stage, improving chances for survival and decreasing mortality rates.  With the success of the Hawaii comprehensive breast and cervical cancer control program, established by the legislature in 1997 to provide breast and cervical cancer screening, the legislature finds that this program is a model of an effective approach to increasing the number of screenings and early detection of colorectal cancer.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish a two-year Hawaii colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program, using the Hawaii comprehensive breast and cervical cancer control program as a model; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the pilot program.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the Hawaii colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program, to be administered by the department of health, to facilitate the early detection of colorectal cancer and assist individuals who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

     (b)  Under the Hawaii colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program, the department of health shall:

     (1)  Educate, train, and improve the skills of health care professionals, including allied health professionals and lay health educators, in the detection and management of colorectal cancer;

     (2)  Educate women and men regarding the risks associated with colorectal cancer and the benefits of screening;

     (3)  Provide outreach to individuals who are at greater risk for colorectal cancer; and

     (4)  Provide referral services for individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

     (c)  The department of health shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2016 and 2017 regular sessions on the expenditure of all funds for the Hawaii colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the Hawaii colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Awareness Pilot Program; Department of Health; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a two-year Hawaii colorectal cancer screening and awareness pilot program using the Hawaii comprehensive breast and cervical cancer control program as a model.  Appropriates funds for the pilot program.  Repeals on June 30, 2017.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.