The Florida Senate

CS/CS/HB 511 — Cancer Control and Research

by By Health and Human Services Committee; Health Quality Subcommittee; and Rep. Coley and others (CS/SB 734 by Appropriations Committee; and Senators Sobel and Abruzzo)

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)

The bill reduces the number of members of the Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council (CCRAB) from 35 to 15 and reduces the required number of members that constitute a quorum to eight. The bill revises which organizations are represented on the CCRAB as well as how CCRAB members are appointed and states that members of the CCRAB, rather than the Governor, select the chairperson of the CCRAB.

The membership of the CCRAB is revised to include:

• The State Surgeon General or his or her designee;
• One member appointed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or the CEO’s designee, from each of the following institutions:
  • The American Cancer Society;
  • The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami;
  • The University of Florida Shands Cancer Center;
  • The Florida Nurses Association who specializes in the field of oncology and is not from an institution or organization already represented on the CCRAB;
  • The Florida Osteopathic Medical Association who specializes in the field of oncology;
  • The Florida Medical Association (FMA) who is a member of the FMA, specializes in the field of oncology, and represents a cancer center not already represented on the CCRAB;
  • The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute;
  • The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) who specializes in the field of oncology, is a member of the FHA, and represents a comprehensive cancer center not already represented on the CCRAB; and
  • The Association of Community Cancer Centers.
• One member, appointed by the Governor, who specializes in pediatric oncology;
• One member, appointed by the President of the Senate, who specializes in oncology clinical care or research;
• One member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is a current or former cancer patient or caregiver;
• One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
• One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

 The bill provides that:

• At least four members must be minority persons;
• A member’s term is 4 years with the option of reappointment;
• The institution that a member represents may reimburse that member for travel expenses, or if a member does not represent an institution, then Moffitt is required to reimburse that member for travel expenses.

The bill also revises the duties of the CCRAB by eliminating the CCRAB’s responsibility for recommending the awarding of grants and contracts to private entities and government agencies for cancer control, prevention, education, or research. The bill renames the “Florida Cancer Plan” as the “Florida Cancer Control and Research Plan” and requires the CCRAB to collaborate with the Florida Biomedical Research Advisory Council to annually recommend to the state surgeon general a statewide research plan for the care and treatment of persons suffering from cancer.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2014.

Vote: Senate 38-0; House 115-0