BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 1488
By: Zaffirini (Berlanga)
May 12, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

In 1993, the Texas Legislature created the Health Professions
Council (HPC) for the purpose of coordinating the administrative
and support services of the state regulatory boards that license
health care professionals. HPC is composed of a representative from
each independent board plus one individual representing the 10
licensing boards administratively attached to the Professional
Licensing and Certification Division of the Texas Department of
Health. These boards, along with the independent boards, contribute
financial support to HPC and believe their combined representation
by a single individual has created an inequitable situation.

PURPOSE

S.B. 1488 would expand the membership 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 1(b), Article 4512p, Revised Statutes,
to add to the membership of the Health Professions Council
(council) one representative appointed by each of the following
entities: the professional, rather than health, licensing division
of the Texas Department of Health; the Advisory Board of Athletic
Trainers; the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology; the State Committee of Examiners in the
Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments; the Texas State
Board of Examiners of Dietitians; the Texas State Board of
Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists; the Texas Board of
Nursing Facility Administrators; the Texas State Board of Examiners
of Perfusionists; the Texas State Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors; the Texas Board of Licensure for
Professional Medical Physicists; the Texas State Board of Social
Worker Examiners; and the Physician Assistant Advisory Council. 
Makes nonsubstantive, clarifying changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 8(d), Article 4512p, Revised Statutes,
to require the council to report to the 74th and 75th Legislatures
certain administrative functions performed by the boards listed in
Section 1(b) of this article.  Deletes provisions regarding a
memorandum of understanding and the reporting of a uniform budget
plan. Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 3. (a) Requires the state board, committee or committee
added to the Health Professions Council by this Act, as soon as
possible after the effective date of this Act, to appoint that
entity's representative to the council.

     (b) Declares a quorum of the Health Professions Council to be
     a majority of the members who have qualified for office, until
     all initial appointments are made under Sections 1(b)(15)-(25), Article 4512p, Revised Statutes, as added by this Act.
     
     SECTION 4.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION
S.B. 1488 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a formal
meeting on May 12, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without
amendment, and with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed, by a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV, and 4 absent.