Senate panel adopts SB 190 substitute to allow prostate detection under age 40, adds agricultural-plan language

The Senate committee adopted a substitute for SB 190 that allows early prostate detection under the age of 40 and makes two technical changes, including language covering any health benefit or plan offered by a nonprofit agricultural organization.

Senator Livingston, sponsor of SB 190, described the substitute as “a bill that allows early prostate detection under the age of 40,” and said the substitute includes technical corrections. He noted two specific additions: changing an instance of the number “40” and adding language to include plans or health benefits offered by nonprofit agricultural organizations.

Senator Smitherman praised the sponsor’s earlier work on similar coverage issues and said he had a personal constituent example: “I actually have a constituent that had an issue with this. And if he had been called a little quicker, he might might still be around.”

A committee member asked whether any nonprofit agricultural organization currently offers such a health plan. The sponsor replied, “It doesn't exist yet,” and said the language is included to anticipate potential future offerings.

The committee adopted the substitute and then gave it a favorable report using previous-roll procedures with no recorded objections in the transcript.