H.B. 15 Enrolled

1

CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY
2 TRANSMITTED DISEASES
3 2008 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Phil Riesen
6 Senate Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen
7 Cosponsors:
8 Sheryl L. Allen
9 Jim Bird
10 DeMar Bud Bowman
11 Rebecca Chavez-Houck
12 Janice M. Fisher
13 Lorie D. FowlkeJames R. Gowans
Neil A. Hansen
Lynn N. Hemingway
Neal B. Hendrickson
Brad King
David Litvack
Rosalind J. McGeeRonda Rudd Menlove
Karen W. Morgan
Carol Spackman Moss
Paul Ray
Stephen E. Sandstrom
Jennifer M. Seelig
Mark A. Wheatley 14
15 LONG TITLE
16 General Description:
17 This bill amends the Communicable Disease and Control Act of the Health Code.
18 Highlighted Provisions:
19 This bill:
20 . requires the Department of Health and local health departments to provide
21 information to the public and health care professionals about:
22 . the health consequences of untreated sexually transmitted diseases;
23 . medical options for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases; and
24 . services and medical benefits that are available for treatment of sexually
25 transmitted diseases.
26 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
27 This bill appropriates:
28 . as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $175,000 from the
29 General Fund for fiscal year 2008-09 to the Department of Health.
30 Other Special Clauses:
31 None

32 Utah Code Sections Affected:
33 AMENDS:
34 26-6-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1996, Chapter 211
35
36 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
37 Section 1. Section 26-6-3 is amended to read:
38 26-6-3. Authority to investigate and control epidemic infections and
39 communicable disease.
40 (1) The department has authority to investigate and control the causes of epidemic
41 infections and communicable disease, and shall provide for the detection, reporting, prevention,
42 and control of communicable diseases and epidemic infections or any other health hazard which
43 may affect the public health.
44 (2) (a) As part of the requirements of Subsection (1), the department shall distribute to
45 the public and to health care professionals:
46 (i) medically accurate information about sexually transmitted diseases that may cause
47 infertility and sterility if left untreated, including descriptions of:
48 (A) the probable side effects resulting from an untreated sexually transmitted disease,
49 including infertility and sterility;
50 (B) medically accepted treatment for sexually transmitted diseases;
51 (C) the medical risks commonly associated with the medical treatment of sexually
52 transmitted diseases; and
53 (D) suggest screening by a private physician; and
54 (ii) information about:
55 (A) public services and agencies available to assist individuals with obtaining treatment
56 for the sexually transmitted disease;
57 (B) medical assistance benefits that may be available to the individual with the sexually
58 transmitted disease; and
59 (C) abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage being the surest prevention of

60 sexually transmitted disease.
61 (b) The information required by Subsection (2)(a):
62 (i) shall be distributed by the department and by local health departments free of charge;
63 (ii) shall be relevant to the geographic location in which the information is distributed
64 by:
65 (A) listing addresses and telephone numbers for public clinics and agencies providing
66 services in the geographic area in which the information is distributed; and
67 (B) providing the information in English as well as other languages that may be
68 appropriate for the geographic area.
69 (c) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c)(ii), the department shall develop written
70 material that includes the information required by this Subsection (2).
71 (ii) In addition to the written materials required by Subsection (2)(c)(i), the department
72 may distribute the information required by this Subsection (2) by any other methods the
73 department determines is appropriate to educate the public, excluding public schools, including
74 websites, toll free telephone numbers, and the media.
75 (iii) If the information required by Subsection (2)(b)(ii)(A) is not included in the written
76 pamphlet developed by the department, the written material must include either a website, or a
77 24-hour toll free telephone number that the public may use to obtain that information.
78 Section 2. Appropriation.
79 As an ongoing appropriation, subject to future budget constraints, there is appropriated
80 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2008-09, $175,000 to the Department of Health to fund
81 the education, prevention, and treatment efforts only for chlamydia and gonorrhea as authorized
82 by Subsection 26-6-3 (2).