Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

___ HEALTH AND HUMAN
ERVICES/Regulatory
UMAN SERVICES
77 th Texas Legislature
Certain Applicants Applying for a License to Practice Medicine in Texas - H.B. 1018
by Representative Hardcastle, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Haywood
Requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to aid rural and medically underserved areas recruit
physicians from out of state by implementing an expedited licensing process for physicians who are already
licensed in another state or country and intend to practice in a rural community in Texas.
Regulation of Surgical Assistants - H.B. 1183
by Representative Capelo
Senate Sponsor: Senator Carona
Prohibits a person from practicing as a surgical assistant unless the person is licensed by the Texas State
Board of Medical Examiners (TSBME) as a surgical assistant
Creates an informal advisory committee that is not subject to provisions regarding state agency advisory
committees to advise TSBME and provides for the appointment, membership, administration, and operation
of the advisory committee.
Requires TSBME to establish qualifications, examination requirements, education and training
requirements, application forms, and continuing education requirements for surgical assistants
Provides that the practice of a surgical assistant is limited to surgical assisting performed under the direct
supervision of a physician who delegated the acts. The bill authorizes the practice of a surgical assistant to
be performed in any place authorized by a delegating licensed physician.
Prohibits certain entities from requiring a registered nurse or physician assistant to be licensed as a
surgical assistant.
Medication a Patient Receives on Release from a Mental Health Facility - H.B. 2004
by Representative Maxey
Senate Sponsor: Senator Carona
On release from an inpatient facility, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation clients are
provided with an initial outpatient appointment to a community mental health center and supplied with
medication adequate to last until that appointment.
Provides that a patient's continuing care plan must address who is responsible for providing and paying for
medication to ensure that a patient has the necessary medication until the patient can see a physician.
Senate Research Center 161