HB5193 Summary

• Amends the Department of Public Health's duties to include education, outreach, and prevention efforts for viral hepatitis B and C.

• Requires the Department to conduct awareness campaigns and develop educational materials on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis, including CDC screening guidelines.

• Establishes an Advisory Council on Viral Hepatitis with representatives from eight state agencies (Public Health, Public Aid, Corrections, Veterans' Affairs, Aging, Human Services, State Police, and State Fire Marshal) plus appointed members from organizations including the American Liver Foundation and advocacy groups.

• Directs the Department to prepare a State Viral Hepatitis Plan by January 1, 2013, following two public hearings, assessing disease trends, economic impact, access to services, and prison population screening needs.

• Requires the Plan to include a strategy by January 1, 2016, to screen individuals born 1945-1965 for hepatitis C and high-risk individuals for hepatitis B.