Amendment
Bill No. CS/SB 2618
Amendment No. 561615
CHAMBER ACTION
Senate House
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1Representative Richardson offered the following:
2
3     Amendment to Senate Amendment (353396) (with title
4amendment)
5     Between lines 32 and 33, insert:
6     Section 7.  Section 381.7366, Florida Statutes, is created
7to read:
8     381.7366  Office of Minority Health; legislative intent;
9duties.--
10     (1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The Legislature recognizes that
11despite significant investments in health care programs certain
12racial and ethnic populations suffer disproportionately with
13chronic diseases when compared to non-Hispanic whites. The
14Legislature intends to address these disparities by developing
15programs that target causal factors and recognize the specific
16health care needs of racial and ethnic minorities.
17     (2)  ORGANIZATION.--The Office of Minority Health,
18established within the Department of Health under s. 20.43(9),
19shall be headed by a director who shall report directly to the
20Surgeon General.
21     (3)  DUTIES.--The office shall:
22     (a)  Protect and promote the health and well-being of
23racial and ethnic populations in the state.
24     (b)  Focus on the issue of health disparities between
25racial and ethnic minority groups and the general population.
26     (c)  Coordinate the department's initiatives, programs, and
27policies to address racial and ethnic health disparities.
28     (d)  Communicate pertinent health information to affected
29racial and ethnic populations.
30     (e)  Collect and analyze data on the incidence and
31frequency of racial and ethnic health disparities.
32     (f)  Promote and encourage cultural competence education
33and training for healthcare professionals.
34     (g)  Serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and
35dissemination of information and research findings relating to
36innovative approaches to the reduction or elimination of health
37disparities.
38     (h)  Dedicate resources to increase public awareness of
39minority health issues.
40     (i)  Seek increased funding for local innovative
41initiatives and administer grants designed to support
42initiatives that address health disparities and that can be
43duplicated.
44     (j)  Provide staffing and support for the Closing the Gap
45grant advisory council.
46     (k)  Coordinate with other agencies, states, and the
47Federal Government to reduce or eliminate health disparities.
48     (l)  Collaborate with other public healthcare providers,
49community and faith-based organizations, the private healthcare
50system, historically black colleges and universities and other
51minority institutions of higher education, medical schools, and
52other health providers to establish a comprehensive and
53inclusive approach to reducing health disparities.
54     (m)  Encourage and support research into causes of racial
55and ethnic health disparities.
56     (n)  Collaborate with health professional training programs
57to increase the number of minority healthcare professionals.
58     (o)  Provide an annual report to the Governor, the
59President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
60Representatives on the activities of the office.
61     (4)  RESPONSIBILITY AND COORDINATION.--The office and the
62department shall direct and carry out the duties established
63under this section and shall work with other state agencies in
64accomplishing these tasks.
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T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T
71     Remove line 43 and insert:
72compressed air used for recreational diving; creating s.
73381.7366, F.S., relating to the Office of Minority Health;
74providing legislative intent; providing for organization,
75duties, and responsibilities; requiring a report to the Governor
76and Legislature; providing an


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.