BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1414

By: Huffman

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Individuals who wish to simultaneously seek a doctor of medicine or osteopathy degree and a doctor of philosophy degree must pass each part of the qualifying examination for a medical license within two years of completing their graduate medical training. These talented individuals are the best and the brightest in their fields and are often studying to become leaders in their respective specialties or educators of future physicians. However, in certain cases, these individuals are exploring key research related to their fields of study that can take years to complete and pushes them beyond the window within which they can complete their examination.

This has reportedly caused some individuals who are pursuing both of these prestigious doctorates in Texas to consider continuing their education in other states that allow more flexibility in obtaining a medical license. S.B. 1414 seeks to address this issue by extending the deadline to pass each part of a qualifying examination, thus allowing these individuals the flexibility to complete their examination at a time that is more compatible to their research goals.

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

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1414 amends the Occupations Code to change the deadline for passing each part of certain qualifying licensing examinations to receive a medical license from the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed the applicant's graduate medical training to not later than the earlier of the following:

· the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed all graduate medical training the applicant undertook, including internship, residency, and fellowship; or

· the 12th anniversary of the date the applicant began the graduate medical training.

The bill requires the Texas Medical Board to adopt rules necessary to implement that change. The change in deadline applies to an application for a medical license regardless of whether the application is submitted before, on, or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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