House File 2493 - Introduced
HOUSE FILE
BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES
(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 618)
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act providing for the establishment of a viral hepatitis
2 program and study.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
4 TLSB 6402HV 81
5 rn/gg/14
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 135.20A VIRAL HEPATITIS PROGRAM
1 2 == VACCINATIONS AND TESTING == STUDY.
1 3 1. If sufficient funds are appropriated by the general
1 4 assembly, the department shall establish and administer a
1 5 viral hepatitis program. The goal of the program shall be to
1 6 distribute information to citizens of this state who are at an
1 7 increased risk for exposure to viral hepatitis regarding the
1 8 higher incidence of hepatitis C exposure and infection among
1 9 these populations, the dangers presented by the disease, and
1 10 contacts for additional information and referrals. The
1 11 program shall also make available hepatitis A and hepatitis B
1 12 vaccinations, and hepatitis C testing.
1 13 2. The department shall establish by rule a list of
1 14 individuals by category who are at increased risk for viral
1 15 hepatitis exposure. The list shall be consistent with
1 16 recommendations developed by the centers for disease control,
1 17 and shall be developed in consultation with the Iowa viral
1 18 hepatitis task force. The department shall also establish by
1 19 rule what information is to be distributed and the form and
1 20 manner of distribution. The rules shall also establish a
1 21 vaccination and testing program, to be coordinated by the
1 22 department through local health departments and clinics.
1 23 3. The department shall conduct a seroprevalence study to
1 24 provide an epidemiological profile of hepatitis C and to
1 25 assess its current and future impact on the state. The
1 26 department shall submit a report to the members of the general
1 27 assembly by January 1, 2008, regarding the results of the
1 28 study, and shall include a status report regarding the
1 29 development and distribution of viral hepatitis information,
1 30 and the results of the vaccination and testing program.
1 31 EXPLANATION
1 32 This bill provides for the establishment of a viral
1 33 hepatitis program by the Iowa department of public health,
1 34 contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funds by the
1 35 general assembly. The objective of the program is to
2 1 distribute information to citizens at increased risk for
2 2 exposure to viral hepatitis regarding the higher incidence of
2 3 hepatitis C exposure and infection among these populations,
2 4 the dangers presented by the disease, and contacts for
2 5 additional information and referrals. The bill also provides
2 6 for hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations, and hepatitis C
2 7 testing.
2 8 The bill provides that the identification of categories of
2 9 individuals considered at increased risk for hepatitis
2 10 exposure, the form, manner, and method of distribution of
2 11 hepatitis information, and the vaccination and testing
2 12 program, shall be established by the department by rule.
2 13 The bill additionally provides for a seroprevalence study
2 14 to be conducted by the department. The study will provide an
2 15 epidemiological profile of hepatitis C and assess its impact.
2 16 The department is required to submit a report to the general
2 17 assembly by January 1, 2008, regarding the results of the
2 18 study, and include a status report regarding the development
2 19 and distribution of the viral hepatitis information, and the
2 20 results of the vaccination and testing program.
2 21 LSB 6402HV 81
2 22 rn:nh/gg/14