Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

STATE AFFAIRS/SUNSET
• performs an abortion on an unemancipated minor without the written consent of the child's parent, managing
conservator, or legal guardian or without a court order authorizing the minor to consent to the abortion,
unless the physician concludes that on the basis of the physician's good faith clinical judgment, a condition
exists that complicates the medical condition of the pregnant minor and necessitates the immediate abortion
of her pregnancy to avert her death or to avoid a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily
function with insufficient time to obtain consent.
Requires the medical board to adopt guidelines to enable the medical board to evaluate circumstances in which a
physician or applicant may be required to submit to an examination for mental or physical health conditions, alcohol
and substance abuse, or professional behavior problems.
Requires the medical board to refer a physician or applicant with a physical or mental health condition to the most
appropriate medical specialist for evaluation.
Allows the board to impose a nondisciplinary rehabilitation order on an applicant if the applicant or license holder has
not committed a violation of the standard of care as a result of the intemperate use of drugs or alcohol.
Establishes responsibilities of private medical associations regarding compliance with requirements necessary to
assist in a physician's rehabilitation.
Allows the medical board to issue a cease and desist order.
Changes the name of the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners to Physician Assistant Board (PA
board) as an advisory board to the medical board.
Authorizes conforming changes pertaining to license renewal and fees.
Establishes continuing medical education requirements.
Provides that medical board guidelines regarding physical or mental examination also apply to the PA board.
Incorporates across-the-board recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission for the PA board and the Texas
State Board of Acupuncture Examiners (acupuncture board).
Allows the acupuncture board to delegate authority to medical board employees to issue licenses to applicants who
clearly meet all licensing requirements.
Provides the same provisions for the acupuncture board and surgical assistants as for the medical board and the PA
board regarding licensing and renewal, the complaint process, and disciplinary action.
250 HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE