Bill Summaries: S 862 CANCER RESEARCH/FUNDS.

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  • Summary date: May 27 2022 - View Summary

    Amends the central cancer registry's powers and duties under GS 130A-208, to also include serving as the lead agency for cancer cluster inquiries and investigations in the State as provided in new GS 130A-208.5. Enacts new GS 130A-208.5 requiring the central cancer registry to oversee the coordination of State-level efforts and activities related to cancer cluster inquiries and investigations in a way that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness.

    Enacts new GS 130A-208.6 requiring the central cancer registry to employ an epidemiologist with knowledge, training, and experience in cancer epidemiology whose primary responsibility it will be to coordinate and communicate State-level cancer cluster activities. Sets out the cancer epidemiologist's six duties and powers.

    Enacts new GS 130A-208.7 requiring the central cancer registry to collaborate with the cancer epidemiologist in establishing and periodically updating an enhanced statewide cancer cluster protocol for addressing suspected cancer clusters in the State. Requires the protocol to be based on the most current CDC guidelines and incorporate four stated items. 

    Effective October 1, 2022.

    Appropriates $314,777 in recurring funds for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, to be used in specified amounts for the following: (1) to create one full-time equivalent Cancer Epidemiologist position 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 DHHS and local health departments with communications during cancer cluster investigations and as the results of these investigations are made available to local health departments, the media, and the general public; (3) to create two full-time equivalent Certified Tumor Registrar positions to coordinate outreach, communication, and onboarding with physician practices to improve cancer case identification across the State, and sets out additional duties of these positions. Effective July 1, 2022.