SPONSOR: Byrnes
This bill establishes the "Missouri Environmental Exposure Early Cancer Detection Act".
The Department of Health and Senior Services is required to collaborate with a "testing entity", as that term is defined in the bill, to develop and implement a pilot multicancer detection liquid biopsy screening program, which would screen participants for cancer using a multicancer liquid biopsy test.
This bill requires the General Assembly to appropriate funds sufficient to support the implementation, management, and evaluation of a pilot program to assist individuals with prolonged exposure to toxic agents, including, but not limited to, persons residing, attending school, or working in environmentally contaminated areas, and first responders, with priority given to firefighters.
The bill requires the Department to submit to the General Assembly and make publicly available a report on the screening program.
This bill also establishes an advisory council within the Department to work with the testing entity to define at-risk populations and oversee the screening program. The bill specifies the council's makeup, which will include medical experts, patient advocates, environmental health specialists, and representatives from impacted communities. The council will regularly review screening program data from the testing entity and provide recommendations to the testing entity to ensure program improvement and equitable access.
Statutes affected: