BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 284

By: Seliger

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of transparency relating to complaints filed with respect to physicians practicing during the pandemic as a result of the waiver of those requirements. S.B. 284 seeks to address this issue by requiring a report by the Texas Medical Board regarding the basic performance of out-of-state licensed physicians who practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic under the disaster emergency licensure rule.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 284 requires the Texas Medical Board (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. The bill requires the TMB, in conducting the study, to solicit and consider information from hospitals and sponsoring physicians in Texas, as applicable, regarding the performance of those physicians. The bill requires the TMB, not later than December 1, 2022, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over the TMB, a written report that includes a summary of the study and any legislative recommendations based on the study. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2023.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.