| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The Department of State Health Services and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas indicate that they could implement the provisions of the bill within current resources.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
The bill would require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in collaboration with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to develop a strategic plan to address prevention, screening, and treatment deficiencies regarding human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer. The bill would authorize DSHS to convene any necessary workgroups including medical professionals, health educators, and HPV-associated cancer survivors. DSHS would be required to deliver the strategic plan to the governor and members of the legislature by December 31, 2016.
Requiring the development of a strategic plan to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from HPV-associated cancer increases the administrative duties of DSHS and CPRIT, but it would not expand the size or cost of government. We remain neutral on HB 1282 since it neither abridges nor advances our liberty principles.
We further note that the requirement to develop a strategic plan does not in itself create mandates on private citizens or make HPV vaccination a condition of school attendance; an issue over which some have expressed concern.