By Ms. Kaprielian of Watertown, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2126) of Rachel Kaprielian and others that the Department of Public Health be directed to establish a bladder cancer screening program.  Public Health.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Rachel Kaprielian

Kathi-Anne Reinstein

John P. Fresolo

Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.

Gale D. Candaras

John W. Scibak

Robert L. Rice, Jr.

Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

Cynthia S. Creem

Peter V. Kocot

Thomas P. Kennedy

Walter F. Timilty

Jennifer M. Callahan

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act establishing a bladder cancer screening program within the Department of Public Health.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

The commissioner shall establish, promote, and maintain a public information program regarding the incidence of bladder cancer in Massachusetts in order to encourage persons at risk to seek medical care for the prevention or treatment of any malignant conditions resulting from smoking or occupational exposure. Such program shall be conducted throughout the commonwealth and shall include, follow-up testing as may be recommended by the department; data collection of all incidences of bladder cancer in at risk populations in Massachusetts; and a program of education for such groups. Such program shall emphasize the need for annual testing and the need to remain informed about additional developments concerning links between smokers or occupational exposure to hazardous materials and bladder cancer.

Said commissioner shall designate and may enter into contracts with providers of health care and/or bladder cancer testing materials for the purpose of establishing regional screening programs. In selecting such provider, said commissioner shall consider such provider's compliance with state and federal standards, and the capacity of such provider to properly screen for bladder cancer using the most accurate and economically efficient means available.

The department shall make an annual report to the legislature of its findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness, impact and benefits derived from such special programs. Such report shall be filed with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives on or before the first day of February and shall contain evaluations of such special programs, and any recommended legislation.

Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.