(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Cancer Control and Research Act.”
(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the finding of the Legislature that:(a) Advances in scientific knowledge have led to the development of preventive and therapeutic capabilities in the control of cancer. Such knowledge and therapy must be made available to all citizens of this state through educational and therapeutic programs.
(b) The present state of our knowledge concerning the prevalence, cause or associated factors, and treatment of cancer have resulted primarily from a vast federal investment into basic and clinical research, some of which is expended in this state. These research activities must continue, but programs must be established to extend this knowledge in preventive measures and patient treatment throughout the state.
(c) Research in cancer has implicated the environment as a causal factor for many types of cancer, i.e., sunshine, X rays, diet, smoking, etc., and programs are needed to further document such cause and effect relationships. Proven causes of cancer should be publicized and be the subject of educational programs for the prevention of cancer.
(d) An effective cancer control program would mobilize the scientific, educational, and medical resources that presently exist into an intense attack against this dread disease.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—The following words and phrases when used in this section have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this subsection:(a) “Cancer” means all malignant neoplasms, regardless of the tissue of origin, including lymphoma and leukemia.
(b) “Council” means the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, which is an advisory body appointed to function on a continuing basis for the study of cancer and which recommends solutions and policy alternatives to the Board of Governors and the State Surgeon General and which is established by this section.
(c) “Department” means the Department of Health.
(4) FLORIDA CANCER CONTROL AND RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL; CREATION; COMPOSITION.—(a) There is created within the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council. The council shall consist of 16 members, which includes the chairperson, all of whom must be residents of this state. The State Surgeon General or his or her designee within the Department of Health shall be one of the 16 members. Members, except those appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the President of the Senate, must be appointed by the chief executive officer of the institution or organization represented, or his or her designee. One member must be a representative of the American Cancer Society; one member must be a representative of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami; one member must be a representative of the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center; one member must be a representative of the Florida Nurses Association who specializes in the field of oncology and is not from an institution or organization already represented on the council; one member must be a representative of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association who specializes in the field of oncology; one member must be a member of the Florida Medical Association who specializes in the field of oncology and who represents a cancer center not already represented on the council; one member must be a representative of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.; one member must be a representative of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville; one member must be a member of the Florida Hospital Association who specializes in the field of oncology and who represents a comprehensive cancer center not already represented on the council; one member must be a representative of the Association of Community Cancer Centers; one member must specialize in pediatric oncology research or clinical care appointed by the Governor; one member must specialize in oncology clinical care or research appointed by the President of the Senate; one member must be a current or former cancer patient or a current or former caregiver to a cancer patient appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member must be a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and one member must be a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate. At least four of the members must be individuals who are minority persons as defined by s. 288.703. (b) The terms of the members shall be 4 years from their respective dates of appointment with the option of renewal.
(c) A chairperson shall be selected by the council for a term of 2 years. The chairperson shall appoint an executive committee of no fewer than three persons to serve at the pleasure of the chairperson. This committee will prepare material for the council but make no final decisions.
(d) The council shall meet no less than semiannually at the call of the chairperson or, in his or her absence or incapacity, at the call of the State Surgeon General. Nine members constitute a quorum for the purpose of exercising all of the powers of the council. A vote of the majority of the members present is sufficient for all actions of the council.
(e) The council members shall serve without pay. Pursuant to the provisions of s. 112.061, the council members may be entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses by the institution or organization the member represents. If a member is not affiliated with an institution or organization, the member shall be reimbursed for travel expenses by the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc. (f) The council may prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws governing the manner in which the business of the council is conducted.
(g) The council shall advise the Board of Governors, the State Surgeon General, and the Legislature with respect to cancer control and research in this state.
(h) The council shall approve each year a program for cancer control and research to be known as the “Florida Cancer Control and Research Plan” which shall be integrated and coordinated with existing programs in this state.
(i) The council shall collaborate with the Florida Biomedical Research Advisory Council to formulate and annually review and recommend to the State Surgeon General a statewide research plan. Additionally, the council shall develop and annually review a statewide “Florida Cancer Treatment Plan” for the care and treatment of persons suffering from cancer. The council shall recommend the establishment of standard requirements for the organization, equipment, and conduct of cancer units or departments in hospitals and clinics in this state. The council may recommend to the State Surgeon General the designation of cancer units following a survey of the needs and facilities for treatment of cancer in the various localities throughout the state. The State Surgeon General shall consider the plans in developing departmental priorities and funding priorities and standards under chapter 395.
(j) The council is responsible for including in the Florida Cancer Control and Research Plan recommendations for the coordination and integration of medical, nursing, paramedical, lay, and other plans concerned with cancer control and research. Committees shall be formed by the council so that the following areas will be established as entities for actions:1. Cancer plan evaluation: tumor registry, data retrieval systems, and epidemiology of cancer in the state and its relation to other areas.
2. Cancer prevention.
3. Cancer detection.
4. Cancer patient management: treatment, rehabilitation, terminal care, and other patient-oriented activities.
5. Cancer education: lay and professional.
6. Unproven methods of cancer therapy: quackery and unorthodox therapies.
7. Investigator-initiated project research.
(k) The council shall have the responsibility to advise the Board of Governors and the State Surgeon General on methods of enforcing and implementing laws already enacted and concerned with cancer control, research, and education.
(l) The council may recommend to the Board of Governors or the State Surgeon General rules not inconsistent with law as it may deem necessary for the performance of its duties and the proper administration of this section.
(m) The council shall formulate and put into effect a continuing educational program for the prevention of cancer and its early diagnosis and disseminate to hospitals, cancer patients, and the public information concerning the proper treatment of cancer.
(n) The council shall be physically located at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., at the University of South Florida.
(o) The council shall select, by majority vote, seven members of the council who must combine with six members of the Biomedical Research Advisory Council to form a joint committee to develop performance measures, a rating system, a rating standard, and an application form for the Cancer Center of Excellence Award created in s. 381.925. (p) On February 15 of each year, the council shall report to the Governor and to the Legislature.
(5) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.—The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., shall provide such staff, information, and other assistance as reasonably necessary for the completion of the responsibilities of the council.
