H.B. No. 923
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 74.102, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (c), (d), and (h) and
  adding Subsections (f-1) and (i) to read as follows:
         (b)  The disclosure panel established herein is
  administratively attached to the [Texas Department of] Health and
  Human Services Commission.  The commission [Texas Department of
  Health], at the request of the disclosure panel, shall provide
  administrative assistance to the panel; and the commission [Texas
  Department of Health] and the disclosure panel shall coordinate
  administrative responsibilities in order to avoid unnecessary
  duplication of facilities and services.  The commission [Texas
  Department of Health], at the request of the panel, shall submit the
  panel's budget request to the legislature.  The panel shall be
  subject, except where inconsistent, to the rules and procedures of
  the commission [Texas Department of Health]; however, the duties
  and responsibilities of the panel as set forth in this chapter shall
  be exercised solely by the disclosure panel, and the executive
  commissioner of the commission [board] or the commission [Texas
  Department of Health] shall have no authority or responsibility
  with respect to same.
         (c)  The disclosure panel is composed of 13 [nine] members,
  with three members representing the public, at least one of whom has
  a background in health literacy, three members licensed to practice
  law in this state, at least one of whom has experience representing
  patients and at least one of whom has experience representing
  physicians or health care providers, and seven [six] members
  licensed to practice medicine in this state.  Members of the
  disclosure panel shall be selected by the executive commissioner of
  the Health and Human Services Commission [health].
         (d)  At the expiration of the term of each member of the
  disclosure panel so appointed, the executive commissioner of the
  Health and Human Services Commission shall select a successor, and
  such successor shall serve for a term of six years, or until that
  member's [his] successor is selected.  Any member who is absent for
  three consecutive meetings without the consent of a majority of the
  disclosure panel present at each such meeting may be removed by the
  executive commissioner at the request of the disclosure panel
  submitted in writing and signed by the chairman.  Upon the death,
  resignation, or removal of any member, the executive commissioner
  shall fill the vacancy by selection for the unexpired portion of the
  term.
         (f-1)  The disclosure panel may not take any action requiring
  a vote of the panel unless a majority of the members appointed to
  serve on the panel as members licensed to practice medicine in this
  state are in attendance at the meeting when the vote is taken.
         (h)  Employees of the [Texas Department of] Health and Human
  Services Commission shall serve as the staff for the panel.
         (i)  When appointing panel members representing the public,
  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services
  Commission may not appoint a registered lobbyist, a health care
  provider or the spouse of a health care provider, or a person who
  works in any health care-related field, including health insurance.  
  The executive commissioner shall give preference to persons with
  experience in advocating for the public interest.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 74.103, Civil Practice
  and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 74.103.  DUTIES OF DISCLOSURE PANEL; LIMITATIONS ON
  AUTHORITY.
         SECTION 3.  Section 74.103, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
         (e)  The panel is not authorized to take any action that
  changes the scope of practice authority of any physician or health
  care provider.
         SECTION 4.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  appoint new members to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel in
  accordance with Section 74.102, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
  as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 923 was passed by the House on April
  30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 109, Nays 29, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 923 was passed by the Senate on May
  20, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor