Bill Summaries: S746 ADVISORY PANEL ON CANCER RESEARCH RECS.

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  • Summary date: May 14 2020 - View Summary

    Amends GS 130A-208 to designate the central cancer registry (registry) as the lead agency for cancer cluster inquiries and investigations in the State as provided in new GS 130A-208.1. Makes conforming and clarifying changes.

    Enacts GS 130A-208.1, charging the registry with coordination of State-level efforts and activities related to cancer cluster inquiries and investigations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to maintain a website designated to cancer cluster investigations that must identify and provide contact information for the cancer epidemiologist to serve as point of contact for the State-level cancer cluster activities. 

    Enacts GS 130A-208.2 to require the registry to employ and retain a cancer epidemiologist to be primarily responsible for the coordination and communication of State-level cancer cluster activities. Details the powers and duties of the cancer epidemiologist, including leading State-level cancer cluster inquiries and investigations, conducting routine cancer surveillance activities, proactively monitoring cancer rates statewide, and developing and disseminating reports.

    Enacts GS 130A-208.3 to direct the registry to establish and periodically update an enhanced statewide cancer cluster protocol for addressing suspected cancer clusters within the State based on the most current CDC guidelines. Requires collaboration with the Cancer Cluster Subcommittee, established by the act. Details four minimum components of the protocol, including incorporating the best practices for all phases of cancer cluster assessment, and state and local infrastructure needs.

    Enacts GS 130A-33.52, creating the Cancer Cluster Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control (Subcommittee). Details Subcommittee membership and meeting requirements. Requires the Subcommittee to provide advice and assistance on the enhanced statewide cancer cluster protocol and any State-level cancer cluster activities being conducted across the State.

    Directs the Central Cancer Registry to develop and implement a one-year pilot project by October 1, 2020, to establish a statewide environmental public health tracking web portal that allows users to view aggregated environmental health data. Requires Registry staff and the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch to work collaboratively with the cancer epidemiologist to develop and implement the portal. Requires the Registry to report the results of the pilot project to the specified NCGA committee by December 1, 2021, included projected annual costs.

    Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the Division of Public Health (DPH) for the 2020-21 fiscal year for the following purposes: (1) to create one full-time equivalent Cancer Epidemiologist position within the Registry dedicated to cancer cluster investigations, (2) to create one full-time equivalent public health educator II position within the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch to assist with communication during cancer cluster investigations, (3) to create one full-time equivalent geographic information systems analyst position within the Registry, (4) to create one full-time equivalent business and technology application specialist within the Registry for website support, (5) to create two full-time equivalent certified tumor registrar positions within the Registry, and (6) to purchase geographic information system software for the Registry. Prohibits the funds from supplanting other funding sources for the positions created. Effective July 1, 2020.

    Effective October 1, 2020, unless otherwise provided.