BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1414
	By: Huffman
	Health & Human Services
	5/24/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Individuals who wish to simultaneously seek a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or osteopathy (D.O.) degree and a doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.), are required to complete all of their necessary qualification examinations in a total of 10 years time. These talented individuals are the best and the brightest in their fields, often studying to become leaders in their respective specialties or educators of Texas's future physicians.

However, in certain cases, these capable individuals are prevented from completing necessary qualifying examinations within the 10-year time limit, as they are exploring key research related to their fields of study that can often be delayed. This causes those who are pursuing both of these prestigious doctorates in the State of Texas to consider continuing their education in other states that allow more flexibility.

S.B. 1414 extends the deadline to take these qualifying examinations to the earlier of 12 years time, or to when the individual is able to complete all of their graduate medical training. This small increase in the time limit will allow these individuals a bit of breathing room to complete their examinations in a timely manner that is more conducive to their research goals.

S.B. 1414 amends current law relating to the time frame for passing certain licensing examinations for applicants seeking a license to practice medicine.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Medical Board in SECTION 2 of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 155.051(b), Occupations Code, as follows:

(b) Requires an applicant for a license to practice medicine in Texas who is a graduate of a program designed to lead to both a doctor of philosophy degree and a doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathy degree to pass examinations not later than the earlier of the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed all graduate medical training undertaken by the applicant, including internship, residency, and fellowship, or the 12th anniversary of the date the applicant began the graduate medical training, rather than not later than the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed the graduate medical training described by Section 155.003(a)(5) (relating to certain graduate training a person is required to complete to be eligible for a license to practice medicine).

SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Medical Board, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt rules necessary to implement Section 155.051 (Examination Required), Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. Provides that Section 155.051, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, applies to an application for a license to practice medicine issued under Chapter 155 (License to Practice Medicine), Occupations Code, regardless of whether the application is submitted before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.