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.