Eating Disorders Task Force Gets 14 Unpaid Members And One Report

The text as introduced · 748 words

89R15824 JTZ-F

By: Johnson
S.B. No. 2120

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Task Force on Eating Disorders Prevalence.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services

Commission.

(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health

Services.

(3) "Task force" means the Task Force on Eating

Disorders Prevalence.

SECTION 2. PURPOSE. The Task Force on Eating Disorders

Prevalence is established to study, evaluate, and make

recommendations to the legislature based on the conclusions

published in the department's report, Eating Disorders Prevalence,

December 2024, regarding:

(1) treatment accessibility for individuals who have

low or no income and are living with an eating disorder;

(2) resource development for low- or no-income

individuals with an eating disorder living in rural areas;

(3) policy developments to assist residents of this

state with recovery from eating disorders;

(4) research and data collection to understand the

causes, prevalence, and effects of eating disorders on this state

and inform effective interventions and treatment;

(5) coordination of services and exploration of

collaboratives among various interested persons, including health

care providers, educators, mental health professionals, and

community organization members, to create an integrated and

cohesive response to eating disorders; and

(6) any recommendations for legislative or other

action necessary to assist people with eating disorders in this

state.

SECTION 3. TASK FORCE COMPOSITION. The task force is

composed of 14 members with expertise in eating disorders,

appointed by the executive commissioner of the commission as

follows:

(1) three members, each of whom specializes and has at

least five years of experience in treating eating disorders at a

health care facility or in private practice, including:

(A) at least one licensed professional counselor

as defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code; and

(B) at least one licensed clinical social worker

as defined by Section 505.002, Occupations Code;

(2) two members who are physicians, each of whom

specializes and has at least five years of experience in treating

eating disorders;

(3) three members, each of whom is an employee of a

nonprofit organization that serves low- or no-income populations

and is a professional specializing in mental illness or drugs and

alcohol;

(4) two members of the public, each of whom:

(A) has experience as a caregiver to someone

living with an eating disorder; or

(B) has been diagnosed with an eating disorder;

(5) one member who is an attorney with expertise in

mental health issues;

(6) two certified nutritionists, each of whom

specializes and has at least five years of experience in treating

eating disorders; and

(7) one member representing any other entity as the

task force considers necessary.

SECTION 4. OFFICERS. (a) The task force shall, at its

initial meeting, elect from among the task force members a

presiding officer who will be responsible for calling and

conducting meetings.

(b) The task force may elect an assistant presiding officer

and secretary from among the task force members.

SECTION 5. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at least

two times each year, at a time and place determined by the presiding

officer of the task force.

(b) The task force may meet at other times the task force

considers appropriate. The presiding officer may call a meeting on

the presiding officer's own motion.

(c) The task force may meet by teleconference.

SECTION 6. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the

task force may not receive compensation or reimbursement for the

member's service on the task force.

SECTION 7. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The task force may

accept gifts, grants, or donations on behalf of the task force to

carry out the task force's duties under this Act.

SECTION 8. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,

Government Code, does not apply to the task force.

SECTION 9. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1, 2026,

the task force shall submit a written report on the task force's

evaluations, conclusions, recommendations, and summaries to the

legislature.

(b) The task force may post written evaluations,

conclusions, recommendations, and summaries on the department's

Internet website.

SECTION 10. ABOLISHMENT; EXPIRATION. The task force is

abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect

immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members

elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas

Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for

immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.