BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 856
By: Jack Harris
2-14-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Sunset Legislation for the Texas Board of Dental Examiners has
become law. This legislation did not include specialty practices
such as oral and maxillofacial surgery. For the protection of the
citizens of Texas, scope of practice definitions for such dental
specialties should be defined.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this bill is to define the area of specialty of oral
and maxillofacial surgery in order to address the gray area between
medicine and dentistry. This bill does not affect any other area of
dentistry.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 9, Title 71, Revised Statutes, by adding
Article 4548b, Vernon's Texas Civil Statues. Defines the dental
specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

SECTION 2. Emergency Clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 856 was considered in a public hearing on February 14, 1995.
Testifying for the bill was R. Lynn White, representing the Texas
Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. No one testified
against the bill. A motion to report H.B. 856 back to the House
with the recommendation that it do pass was approved with a vote of
6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 3 Absent.