H7834

	2012 -- H 7834
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	LC01668
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - - THE RHODE ISLAND LUPUS EDUCATION
	AND AWARENESS PROGRAM


	Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Naughton, Ferri, Tanzi, and Slater

	Date Introduced: February 28, 2012

	Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare




	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1	SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
1-2	amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
1-3	CHAPTER 87
1-4	THE RHODE ISLAND LUPUS EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM
1-5	23-87-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and maybe cited as the “Rhode
1-6	Island Lupus Education and Awareness Program Act of 2012.”
1-7	23-87-2. Legislative findings. -- It is hereby found and declared as follows:
1-8	(1) Lupus is an urgent national health issue. Lupus is the result of an immune system that
1-9	is unbalanced which can become destructive to any organ or tissue in the body. Lupus is
1-10	unpredictable and potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory treatment exists. Its health consequences
1-11	include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and organ failure.
1-12	(2) The Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. estimates that more than 1.5 million
1-13	Americans live with some form of lupus, including an estimated four thousand two hundred
1-14	(4,200) people with lupus in Rhode Island.
1-15	23-87-3. Purpose. – The purpose of this chapter is to create a multi-pronged, statewide
1-16	program to educate healthcare professionals and persons affected with lupus about diagnosis,
1-17	management, and treatment of lupus by taking the following actions:
1-18	(1) Conducting educational and training programs for health professionals on lupus
1-19	diagnosis and management.
2-1	(2) Disseminating medically-sound educational materials and information on lupus to
2-2	healthcare professionals.
2-3	(3) Conducting educational forums and workshops on lupus for patients and their
2-4	families.
2-5	(4) Organizing statewide lupus awareness activities and programs.
2-6	23-87-4. Establishment of the lupus education and awareness program (LEAP). --
2-7	(a) There is hereby established within the state of Rhode Island a Lupus Education
2-8	Awareness Program (LEAP).
2-9	(b) The Rhode Island department of health shall work with the Lupus Foundation of
2-10	America, Inc., to implement programs to:
2-11	(1) Distribute medically-sound health information produced by the Lupus Foundation of
2-12	America, Inc. and/or government agencies, (including, but not limited to, the National Institutes
2-13	of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Social Security
2-14	Administration) through local health departments, schools, agencies on aging, employer wellness
2-15	programs, physicians and other health professionals, hospitals, health plans and health
2-16	maintenance organizations, women’s health, nonprofit and community-based organizations.
2-17	(2) Develop educational materials for health professionals that identify the latest
2-18	scientific and medical information and clinical applications.
2-19	(3) Work to increase knowledge among physicians, nurses, and health and human
2-20	services professionals about the importance of lupus diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
2-21	(4) Support continuing medical education programs presented by the leading state
2-22	academic institutions by providing them the most up-to-date information.
2-23	(5) Provide statewide workshops and seminars for in-depth professional development
2-24	regarding the care and management of patients with lupus to bring the latest information on
2-25	clinical advances to care providers.
2-26	(6) Develop and maintain a directory of lupus-related services and lupus healthcare
2-27	providers with specialization in services to diagnose and treat lupus. The department shall
2-28	disseminate this directory to all stakeholders, including, but not limited to, individuals with lupus,
2-29	families, and representatives from voluntary organizations, healthcare professionals, health plans,
2-30	and state and local health agencies.
2-31	23-87-5. The interagency and partnership advisory panel. -- (a) The director of the
2-32	department of health shall establish and coordinate an interagency and partnership advisory panel
2-33	on lupus consisting of six (6) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the director of the
2-34	department of health. The chairperson of this panel shall be appointed by the director.
3-1	(b) The panel shall be composed of:
3-2	(1) At least one individual with lupus;
3-3	(2) One scientist with experience in lupus and who participates in various fields of
3-4	scientific endeavor, including, but not limited to, biomedical research, social, translational,
3-5	behavioral and epidemiological research, and public health;
3-6	(3) One medical clinician with experience in treating people with lupus; and
3-7	(4) Two (2) representatives from relevant nonprofit women’s and/or health organizations;
3-8	and
3-9	(5) One local representative from the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
3-10	(c) All members of the panel shall serve terms of two (2) years. A member may be
3-11	appointed to serve not more than two (2) terms, whether or not consecutive.
3-12	(d) The panel shall meet at the call of the chair, but not less than once annually.
3-13	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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	LC01668
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - - THE RHODE ISLAND LUPUS EDUCATION
	AND AWARENESS PROGRAM
	***

4-1	This act would establish the “Lupus Education and Awareness Program” and an advisory
4-2	panel to promote this program.
4-3	This act would take effect upon passage.

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	LC01668
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H7834