Section 1436.5 - Task force(a) Establishment.--The department shall establish a task force on prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions.(b)Purpose.--The task force shall investigate and make recommendations to the department regarding: (1) The prevalence of and measures available to detect, diagnose and treat prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions in this Commonwealth.(2) Raising awareness about the long-term effects caused by a lack of public policy and education about prostate cancer risk factors and screening guidelines.(3) Development of a program of information and education regarding prostate cancer which shall include a uniform set of screening guidelines and the broad spectrum of scientific and treatment options regarding all stages of prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions.(4) Development of a program to assist male residents in accessing prostate cancer screening, regardless of insurance coverage.(5) Cooperation with the Insurance Department, Department of Aging, and the Department of Human Services to disseminate the information required under paragraph (3) to the general public.(c) Composition.--The task force shall be composed of the following individuals:(1) The secretary or a designee.(2) The Secretary of the Commonwealth or a designee.(3) The Insurance Commissioner or a designee.(4) The Secretary of Aging or a designee.(5) The Secretary of Human Services or a designee.(6) Two physicians licensed in this Commonwealth who are knowledgeable concerning treatment of prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions and who are board certified in urology.(7) Two physicians licensed in this Commonwealth who are knowledgeable concerning treatment of prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions and who are practicing radiation oncologists treating prostate cancer.(8) An epidemiologist licensed in this Commonwealth who has expertise in prostate cancer.(9) Two individuals who represent prostate cancer patient groups, either of whom may be a prostate cancer patient or a family member of a prostate cancer patient.(10) One individual who is a prostate cancer patient or family member of a prostate cancer patient.(11) Two registered nurses licensed in this Commonwealth, one of whom is a certified registered nurse practitioner and both of whom are knowledgeable concerning prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions.(d)Meetings.--(1) Within 45 days of the effective date of this section, the secretary shall appoint the members and a chairperson of the task force.(2) The task force shall convene within 90 days of the effective date of this section and shall meet at least quarterly. When necessary, some task force members may participate in meetings via teleconference.(3) The task force shall issue a report with recommendations to the secretary within one year of its first meeting. The report shall be transmitted to the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the Senate and the Health Committee of the House of Representatives.(4) Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the task force from making interim reports or taking interim actions.(e) Compensation and expenses.--The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties. Reimbursement shall be provided by the department.(f)Duties of department.--The department shall: (1) Develop a program of information and education regarding prostate cancer which shall include a uniform set of screening guidelines and the broad spectrum of scientific and treatment options regarding all stages of prostate cancer and related chronic prostate conditions.(2) Develop a program to assist male residents in accessing prostate cancer screening, regardless of insurance coverage.(3) Cooperate with the Insurance Department, Department of Aging and the Department of Human Services to disseminate the information required under paragraph (1) to medical professionals and the general public.(4) Cooperate with professional associations of health care professionals to provide the education program for professionals required under paragraph (1).(5) Identify and apply for public and private grants and funding in order to carry out the provisions of this act.Added by P.L. TBD 2015 No. 66, § 5, eff. 11/24/2015.