A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ACTIVITIES, as recommended by the osteoporosis education task force.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used as follows:
(1)	Increase public awareness and education about osteoporosis, its impact, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management, and effective prevention strategies.
(2)	Increase osteoporosis education and outreach to diverse population groups in North Carolina.
(3)	Increase health and human services professionals' understanding of osteoporosis, its impact, and the importance of and skill required for early diagnosis, appropriate management, and effective treatment strategies.
(4)	Provide access to knowledge on the prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis.
(5)	Improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention abilities of health and human services professionals.
(6)	Reduce barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis for all North Carolina citizens.
(7)	Monitor the burden of illness and progress toward preventing osteoporosis in North Carolina's citizens.
(8)	Evaluate education and awareness as well as efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis.
SECTION 1.(b)   It is the intent of the General Assembly that funds for osteoporosis awareness and education be included in the continuation budget.  
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.