BILL NUMBER: AB 161	CHAPTERED  10/10/99

	CHAPTER   819
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   OCTOBER 10, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   OCTOBER 8, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 7, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   SEPTEMBER 2, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 16, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 28, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MARCH 18, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alquist
   (Principal coauthor:  Senator Solis)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Havice, Honda, Jackson, Knox, Kuehl,
Leach, Mazzoni, Romero, Scott, Strom-Martin, Thomson, and Wildman)
   (Coauthor:  Senator Alpert)

                        JANUARY 15, 1999

   An act to add Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 125700) to Part 8
of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to
osteoporosis, and making an appropriation therefor.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 161, Alquist.  Osteoporosis.
   Under existing law, the State Department of Health Services is
responsible for the administration and oversight of various health
care programs.
   This bill would establish the California Osteoporosis Prevention
and Education Program within the department.  The bill would
appropriate $250,000 to the department from the General Fund for
purposes of the bill.  The bill would provide that this fund shall
consist of money accepted by the department from private grants and
donations and money appropriated by the Legislature.
   Appropriation:  yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (a) Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones to lose mass
and break easily.
   (b) More than 28 million persons are affected by osteoporosis in
the United States.
   (c) According to a national report, more than five million
Californians, 50 years of age or older, either have osteoporosis or
are at high risk of developing this debilitating disease.  By the
year 2015, this number is projected to rise to 8.5 million
Californians.
   (d) Although osteoporosis is most prevalent among women, men
suffer from the disease as well.
   (e) In May 1998, the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development identified osteoporosis as a preventable health issue for
adolescents.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 125700) is added to
Part 8 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 1.  CALIFORNIA OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
ACT

   125700.  This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
"California Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Act."
   125701.  It is the intent of the Legislature to promote public
awareness of the causes of and options for the prevention of
osteoporosis, to educate the public regarding the prevention and
management of osteoporosis, and to improve management of
osteoporosis, and thereby to minimize the impact of this debilitating
disease.
   125702.  There is hereby created within the department the
California Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program.  The target
population for this program shall be persons of age 50 years or
older.
   125703.  The department shall, in consultation with the California
Department of Aging, do all of the following in the establishment of
the program:
   (a) Promote public awareness concerning the causes and nature of,
the personal risk factors for, the value of prevention of, and the
options for management of osteoporosis.
   (b) Work with other state and local agencies to promote
osteoporosis educational and training programs for physicians and
other health professionals.
   (c) Convene an advisory panel of individuals with knowledge and
expertise in osteoporosis research, women's health, healthy aging,
prevention strategies, educational programs, and consumer needs to
guide program development.
   125704.  In consultation with the advisory panel convened pursuant
to subdivision (c) of Section 125703, the department shall develop
effective protocols for the prevention of falls and fractures and
establish these protocols in community practice to improve the
prevention and management of osteoporosis.
   125710.  The director shall seek private sector financial support,
grants, and other appropriate moneys to support the California
Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program.
  SEC. 3.  The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000)
is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the State Department
of Health Services to implement the California Osteoporosis
Prevention and Education Act, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section
125700) of Part 8 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.