HB17: HB17 Public Health, Department of; carry out projects to increase education, awareness, or diagnosis of valvular heart disease; authorize

25 LC 52 0614 House Bill 17 By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Mitchell of the 88th, and Jackson of the 68th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 1 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 general provisions regarding health, so as to authorize the Dep artment of Public Health to2 implement projects to increase education, public awareness, and diagnosis of valvular heart3 disease and to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death caused by valvular heart disease;4 to provide for the priority of projects targeting affected popu lations or addressing health5 disparities; to provide for coordination with other state agencies; to provide for the collection6 and publishing of data regarding best practices for healthcare providers; to provide for related7 matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effect ive date; to repeal conflicting8 laws; and for other purposes.9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10 SECTION 1.11 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Valvular Heart Health and Sudden Cardiac12 Death Prevention Act."13 H. B. 17 - 1 - 25 LC 52 0614 SECTION 2.14 Chapter 1 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to general15 provisions regarding health, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:16 "31-1-26.17 (a) The department shall implement projects to increase education on and public awareness18 of valvular heart disease, enhance the diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease, and19 reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death caused by valvular heart disease. Such20 projects may be implemented by the department directly or through the award of grants or21 contracts to public or nonprofit private entities. The departm ent may provide technical22 assistance with respect to the planning, development, and opera tion of such projects23 directly or through such awards.24 (b) The projects provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section may include projects25 to initiate, increase, or improve:26 (1) Education on and public awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and public health27 consequences of valvular heart disease;28 (2) Diagnostic capabilities of physicians and other healthcare providers regarding29 valvular heart disease and access to treatment for individuals with valvular heart disease;30 and31 (3) Surveillance programs to analyze and report on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests related32 to valvular heart disease to improve patient outcomes.33 (c) In awarding grants or contracts for projects pursuant to s ubsection (a) of this Code34 section, the department shall give priority to projects that target populations most impacted35 by valvular heart disease or that address health disparities in the risk factors, treatment, and36 outcomes of valvular heart disease based on race, ethnicity, ge nder, and socioeconomic37 status.38 H. B. 17 - 2 - 25 LC 52 0614 (d) The department shall ensure that projects implemented pursuant to this Code section39 are coordinated, as appropriate, with other state agencies that carry out activities regarding40 valvular heart disease.41 (e) The department shall:42 (1) Collect and analyze the findings of research conducted with respect to valvular heart43 disease; and44 (2) Publish on the department's public website best practices for physicians and other45 healthcare providers who provide care to individuals diagnosed with valvular heart46 disease. Such information shall also be annually distributed by the Georgia Composite47 Medical Board to all physicians licensed to practice medicine in this state."48 SECTION 3.49 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law50 without such approval.51 SECTION 4.52 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.53 H. B. 17 - 3 -