BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 570
By: Moncrief (McDonald et al.)
05-02-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Under current law, the Health Professions Council is a coordinating
entity for the health professions licensing boards; it provides a
single portal through which consumers can make complaints against
licensees.  The law includes provisions for receiving and
processing complaints of a professional licensed by one of the
boards under the Council.  However, there is no provision to ensure
the confidentiality of any information regarding a complaint
received by the Council.

PURPOSE

S.B. 570 would require confidentiality of complaint information in
the possession of the Health Professions Council.

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 Section 2, Article 4512p, Revised Statutes, by
adding Subsection (c), as follows:

     (c)  Provides that all complaints, adverse reports, and other
     complaint information received or gathered by the Health
     Professions Council (council) relating to anyone initiating a
     complaint or the licensed professional against whom the
     complaint is made are privileged and confidential and not
     subject to legal compulsion for their release to anyone other
     than persons related (as specified) to the council or the
     appropriate agency or regulating board.
     
     SECTION 2.     Effective date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 570 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public
hearing on May 2, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without
amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed
and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a
record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV, and 3 absent.