BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 284
	By: Seliger
	Health & Human Services
	5/24/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, certain Texas licensing requirements for out-of-state licensed physicians were waived, which allowed qualifying individuals to temporarily practice in Texas.

S.B. 284 requires a one time report to be completed by the Texas Medical Board regarding the basic performance, such as number of disciplinary reviews or actions taken by the board, of out-of-state licensed physicians who practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic under the board's disaster emergency licensure rule.

S.B. 284 amends current law relating to a study of out-of-state physicians who practiced in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. Defines "board" to mean the Texas Medical Board (TMB) in this Act.

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) Requires TMB to conduct a study regarding out-of-state physicians who practiced medicine in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to TMB rules providing for the waiver of licensing requirements during disasters and emergencies.

(b) Requires TMB, in conducting the study, to solicit and consider information from hospitals and sponsoring physicians in Texas, as applicable, regarding the performance of a physician described by Subsection (a) of this section.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Requires TMB, not later than December 1, 2022, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over TMB, a written report that includes a summary of the study and any legislative recommendations based on the study.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires September 1, 2023.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.