2005 California Health and Safety Code Sections 135-138.6 CHAPTER 1.3. WOMEN\'S HEALTH

135.  The Office of Women's Health is hereby established within the
State Department of Health Services.  For purposes of this chapter,
"office" means the Office of Women's Health.
136.  (a) The Health and Welfare Agency shall establish an
interagency task force on women's health composed of representatives
of the State Department of Health Services, the State Department of
Developmental Services, the State Department of Social Services, the
State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, and the Major Risk
Medical Insurance Program.
   (b) The State Department of Education, the Department of Housing
and Community Development, the office of the Attorney General, the
State Department of Mental Health, and the Department of Corrections
may participate with the interagency task force on women's health
when necessary to implement the state strategy developed pursuant to
Section 137.
137.  The office, in consultation with the interagency task force on
women's health, shall develop a coordinated state strategy for
addressing the health related needs of women.
138.  The office may do any of the following:
   (a) Perform strategic planning within the state department to
develop departmentwide plans for implementation of goals and
objectives for women's health.
   (b) Conduct departmental policy analysis on specific issues
related to women's health.
   (c) Coordinate pilot projects and planning projects funded by the
state that are related to women's health.
   (d) Identify unnecessary duplication of services and future
service needs.
   (e) Communicate and disseminate information and perform a liaison
function within the state department and to providers of health,
social, educational, and support services to women.
   (f) Perform internal state department staff training, and training
of health care professionals to ensure more linguistically and
culturally appropriate care.
   (g) Serve as a clearinghouse for information regarding women's
health data, strategies, and programs that address women's health
issues, including pregnancy, breast and cervical cancers, AIDS,
osteoporosis, and menopause, as well as issues that impact women's
health, including substance abuse, domestic violence, housing,
teenage pregnancy, and sexual assault.
   (h) Encourage innovative responses by public and private entities
that are attempting to address women's health issues.
   (i) Provide technical assistance to counties, other public
entities, and private entities seeking to obtain funds for
initiatives in women's health, including identification of sources of
funding and assistance with writing of grants.
138.4.  (a) The State Department of Health Services shall place
priority on providing information to consumers, patients, and health
care providers regarding women's gynecological cancers, including,
signs and symptoms, risk factors, the benefits of early detection
through appropriate diagnostic testing, and treatment options.
   (b) The information may include, but is not limited to, the
following elements:
   (1) Educational and informational materials in print, audio,
video, electronic, or other media.
   (2) Public service announcements and advertisements.
   (c) (1) The department may produce or contract with others to
develop the materials described in this section as the director deems
appropriate, or may survey available publications from, among other
sources, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer
Society, and may collect and formulate a distribution plan and
disseminate these publications according to the plan.  These
materials may be made available to the public free of charge and may
include distribution through the Medical Board of California, as well
as through other sources according to the distribution plan.
   (2) The department may require, as it deems appropriate, health
care providers to make these materials available to patients.
   (d) In exercising the powers under this section, the office shall
consult with appropriate health care professionals and providers,
consumers, and patients, or organizations representing them.
   (e) The department may appoint a Women's Gynecological Cancer
Information Advisory Council which may include representation from
health care professionals and providers, consumers, patients, and
other appropriate interests.  Members of the council shall receive no
compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual
and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
   (f) The department's duties pursuant to this section are
contingent upon the department receiving funds appropriated for this
purpose.
   (g) The department may adopt any regulations necessary and
appropriate for the implementation of this section.
138.6.  (a) The department shall include in any literature that it
produces regarding breast cancer information that shall include, but
not be limited to, all of the following:
   (1) Summarized information on risk factors for breast cancer in
younger women, including, but not limited to, information on the
increased risk associated with a family history of the disease.
   (2) Summarized information regarding detection alternatives to
mammography that may be available and more effective for at-risk
women between the ages of 25 and 40 years.
   (3) Information on Internet Web sites of relevant organizations,
government agencies, and research institutions where information on
mammography alternatives may be obtained.
   (b) The information required by subdivision (a) shall be produced
consistent with the department's protocols and procedures regarding
the production and dissemination of information on breast cancer,
including, but not limited to, the following factors:
   (1) Restrictions imposed by space limitation on materials
currently produced and distributed by the department.
   (2) Future regular production and replacement schedules.
   (3) Translation standards governing the number of languages and
literacy levels.
   (4) The nature, content, and purpose of the material into which
this new information will be incorporated.
   (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that subdivisions (a) and
(b) apply to information that is distributed by any branch of the
department, including, but not limited to, the Cancer Detection
Section and the Office of Women's Health, which are charged with
providing information about cancer.