BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2898
                                               By: Harris (Madla)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                          5-24-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Since 1991, problems have arisen with maintenance checks of dental
X-ray equipment required by the Bureau of Radiation Control due to
ambiguity in the rules.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2898 authorizes a dentist to authorize a
qualified person to inspect and maintain dental X-ray equipment.

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, V.T.C.S., by adding Article
4551o, to authorize a dentist to authorize a qualified person to
perform beam calibration and characterization, quality assurance,
instrument specification, acceptance testing, shielding design, or
protection analysis in radiation-emitting equipment or
radiopharmaceuticals for procedures involved with the diagnosis or
treatment of disease or other dental conditions in humans. 
Prohibits the authorization of such acts by a dentist and the
performance of same by a qualified person from constituting the
practice of medical physics.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.