Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 291 creates the Orthotics and Prosthetics Act to provide for the regulation of orthotists and prosthetists. The act establishes the Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics as part of the Texas Department of Health, sets forth the membership of the board, and subjects the board to the Texas Sunset Act. It requires the board to review applications for licensure as a prosthetist or orthotist and to approve any examination required for licensure. In addition, the act authorizes the board to collect administrative fees and to set the fees unless otherwise specified by the General Appropriations Act, to investigate complaints, and to issue, suspend, deny, and revoke licenses.

            Senate Bill 291 prohibits practicing or assisting in the practice of orthotics or prosthetics without a license, sets forth specific requirements for licensure, and establishes a civil penalty for violation of requirements. The act includes provisions relating to exemptions from licensure requirements, accreditation of orthotic or prosthetic facilities, and provisional and temporary licenses.

            The bill takes effect September 1, 1997, except the sections that prohibit these practices without a license and establish a civil penalty, which take effect October 1, 1998.