74R10367 JMM-F
          By Berlanga                                           H.B. No. 1193
          Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1193:
          By Wohlgemuth                                     C.S.H.B. No. 1193
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the regulation of orthotists and prosthetists;
    1-3  providing a civil penalty.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Title 132, Revised Statutes, is amended by adding
    1-6  Article 8920 to read as follows:
    1-7        Art. 8920.  REGULATION OF ORTHOTISTS AND PROSTHETISTS
    1-8        Sec. 1.  SHORT TITLE.  This article may be cited as the
    1-9  Orthotics and Prosthetics Act.
   1-10        Sec. 2.  DEFINITIONS.  In this Act:
   1-11              (1)  "Board" means the Texas Board of Orthotics and
   1-12  Prosthetics.
   1-13              (2)  "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public
   1-14  health.
   1-15              (3)  "Custom-fabricated" means an orthosis or
   1-16  prosthesis has been designed, fabricated, fitted, and aligned
   1-17  specifically for an individual in accordance with sound
   1-18  biomechanical principles.
   1-19              (4)  "Custom-fitted" means an orthosis or prosthesis
   1-20  that has been adjusted and aligned for a specific individual
   1-21  according to sound biomechanical principles.
   1-22              (5)  "Department" means the Texas Department of Health.
   1-23              (6)  "License" includes a license, registration,
   1-24  certificate, accreditation, or other authorization issued under
    2-1  this Act to engage in an activity regulated under this Act.
    2-2              (7)  "Licensed orthotist" means a person licensed under
    2-3  this Act who practices orthotics and represents the person to the
    2-4  public by a title or description of services that includes the term
    2-5  "orthotics," "orthotists," "brace," "orthotic," or a similar title
    2-6  or description of services.
    2-7              (8)  "Licensed orthotist assistant" means a person
    2-8  licensed under this Act who assists and is under the supervision at
    2-9  an orthotic or prosthetic facility of a licensed orthotist
   2-10  responsible for the acts of the assistant.
   2-11              (9)  "Licensed prosthetist" means a person licensed
   2-12  under this Act who practices prosthetics and represents the person
   2-13  to the public by a title or description of services that includes
   2-14  the term "prosthetics," "prosthetist," "prosthetic," "artificial
   2-15  limb," or a similar title or description of services.
   2-16              (10)  "Licensed prosthetist assistant" means a person
   2-17  licensed under this Act who assists and is under the supervision at
   2-18  an orthotic or prosthetic facility of a licensed prosthetist
   2-19  responsible for the acts of the assistant.
   2-20              (11)  "Licensed prosthetist orthotist" means a person
   2-21  licensed under this Act who practices both prosthetics and
   2-22  orthotics and represents the person to the public by a title or
   2-23  description of services that includes the terms "prosthetics
   2-24  orthotics," "prosthetist orthotist," "prosthetic orthotic,"
   2-25  "artificial limb," "brace," or a similar title or description of
   2-26  services.
   2-27              (12)  "Licensed prosthetist orthotist assistant" means
    3-1  a person licensed under this Act who assists and is under the
    3-2  supervision at an orthotic or prosthetic facility of a licensed
    3-3  prosthetist orthotist responsible for the acts of the assistant.
    3-4              (13)  "Orthosis" means a custom-fabricated or
    3-5  custom-fitted medical device designed to provide for the support,
    3-6  alignment, prevention, or correction of neuromuscular or
    3-7  musculoskeletal disease, injury, or deformity.  The term does not
    3-8  include a fabric or elastic support, corset, arch support,
    3-9  low-temperature plastic splint, truss, elastic hose, cane, crutch,
   3-10  soft cervical collar, an orthosis for diagnostic or evaluation
   3-11  purposes, dental appliance, or any other similar device carried in
   3-12  stock and sold by a drugstore, department store, or corset shop.
   3-13              (14)  "Orthotic or prosthetic facility" means a
   3-14  physical site, including a building or office, where the profession
   3-15  and practice of orthotics or prosthetics takes place.
   3-16              (15)  "Orthotics" means the science and practice of
   3-17  measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting,
   3-18  or servicing an orthosis under an order from a licensed physician,
   3-19  chiropractor, or podiatrist for the correction or alleviation of
   3-20  neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or
   3-21  deformity.
   3-22              (16)  "Person" means an individual, corporation,
   3-23  partnership, association, or other organization.
   3-24              (17)  "Profession of orthotics or prosthetics" means
   3-25  allied health care medical services used to identify, prevent,
   3-26  correct, or alleviate acute or chronic neuromuscular or
   3-27  musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the human body that support and
    4-1  provide rehabilitative health care services concerned with the
    4-2  restoration of function, prevention, or progression of disabilities
    4-3  resulting from disease, injury, or congenital anomalies.  Orthotic
    4-4  and prosthetic services include direct patient care, including
    4-5  consultation, evaluation, treatment, education, and advice to
    4-6  maximize the rehabilitation potential of disabled individuals.
    4-7              (18)  "Prosthesis" means a custom-fabricated or fitted
    4-8  medical device that is not surgically implanted and is used to
    4-9  replace a missing limb, appendage, or other external human body
   4-10  part, including an artificial limb, hand, or foot.  The term does
   4-11  not include an artificial eye, ear, finger, or toe, a dental
   4-12  appliance, a cosmetic device, including an artificial breast,
   4-13  eyelash, or wig, or other device that does not have a significant
   4-14  impact on the musculoskeletal functions of the body.
   4-15              (19)  "Prosthetics" means the science and practice of
   4-16  measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting,
   4-17  or servicing a prosthesis under an order from a licensed physician,
   4-18  chiropractor, or podiatrist.
   4-19              (20)  "Registered orthotic technician" means a person
   4-20  registered under this Act who fabricates, assembles, and services
   4-21  orthoses under the direction of a licensed orthotist or licensed
   4-22  orthotist assistant responsible for the acts of the technician.
   4-23              (21)  "Registered prosthetic orthotic technician" means
   4-24  a person registered under this Act who fabricates, assembles, or
   4-25  services prostheses and orthoses under the direction of a licensed
   4-26  orthotist and licensed prosthetist, a licensed prosthetist
   4-27  orthotist, or a licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist
    5-1  assistant, or licensed prosthetist orthotist assistant responsible
    5-2  for the acts of the technician.
    5-3              (22)  "Registered prosthetic technician" means a person
    5-4  registered under this Act who fabricates, assembles, or services
    5-5  prostheses under the direction of a licensed prosthetist or
    5-6  licensed prosthetist assistant responsible for the acts of the
    5-7  technician.
    5-8        Sec. 3.  BOARD.  (a)  The Texas Board of Orthotics and
    5-9  Prosthetics is established as a part of the department and shall
   5-10  perform its duties as a board with the department.
   5-11        (b)  The board consists of six members appointed by the
   5-12  governor with the advice and consent of the senate.  Appointments
   5-13  to the board shall be made without regard to the race, color,
   5-14  disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the
   5-15  appointees.
   5-16        (c)  Members of the board are appointed for staggered
   5-17  six-year terms, with two members' terms expiring on February 1 of
   5-18  each odd-numbered year.
   5-19        (d)  One member of the board must be a licensed orthotist, be
   5-20  a resident of this state, and have practiced orthotics for the five
   5-21  years preceding the date of appointment.  One member of the board
   5-22  must be a licensed prosthetist, be a resident of this state, and
   5-23  have practiced prosthetics for the five years preceding the date of
   5-24  appointment.  One member of the board must be a licensed
   5-25  prosthetist orthotist, be a resident of this state, and have
   5-26  practiced prosthetics and orthotics for the five years preceding
   5-27  the date of appointment.  One member of the board must be a
    6-1  representative of the public who uses an orthosis. One member of
    6-2  the board must be a representative of the public who uses a
    6-3  prosthesis.  One member of the board must be a representative of
    6-4  the public who does not use an orthosis or prosthesis.
    6-5        (e)  A vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment by
    6-6  the governor of an individual who has the appropriate
    6-7  qualifications.  The appointed person serves for the remainder of
    6-8  the term.
    6-9        (f)  A member of the board is not liable for damages in a
   6-10  civil action for any act performed in good faith in the execution
   6-11  of the member's duties.
   6-12        (g)  The board is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code
   6-13  (Texas Sunset Act).  Unless continued in existence as provided by
   6-14  that chapter, the board is abolished and this Act expires September
   6-15  1, 2007.
   6-16        Sec. 4.  REMOVAL FROM BOARD.  (a)  It is ground for removal
   6-17  from the board if a member:
   6-18              (1)  does not have at the time of appointment the
   6-19  qualifications required for appointment to the board;
   6-20              (2)  does not maintain during service on the board the
   6-21  qualifications required for appointment to the board;
   6-22              (3)  violates a prohibition established by this Act;
   6-23              (4)  cannot discharge the member's duties for a
   6-24  substantial part of the term for which the member is appointed
   6-25  because of illness or disability; or
   6-26              (5)  is absent from more than half of the regularly
   6-27  scheduled board meetings that the member is eligible to attend
    7-1  during a calendar year unless the absence is excused by majority
    7-2  vote of the board.
    7-3        (b)  The validity of an action of the board is not affected
    7-4  by the fact that the action was taken when a ground for removal of
    7-5  a member of the board existed.
    7-6        (c)  If the executive director has knowledge that a potential
    7-7  ground for removal exists, the executive director shall notify the
    7-8  presiding officer of the board of the ground.  The presiding
    7-9  officer shall then notify the governor that a potential ground for
   7-10  removal exists.
   7-11        Sec. 5.  BOARD POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The board shall
   7-12  review applications for a license  at least once each year at
   7-13  reasonable times and places designated by the board.
   7-14        (b)  The board may collect license application fees,  renewal
   7-15  fees, examination fees, and other fees for other administrative
   7-16  expenses.  If the General Appropriations Act does not set the
   7-17  amount of those fees, the board shall set the fees in amounts
   7-18  reasonable and necessary for the administration and implementation
   7-19  of this Act.
   7-20        (c)  The board shall approve any examination required for a
   7-21  license under this Act.  Each examination shall be offered at least
   7-22  once each year.
   7-23        (d)  The board may:
   7-24              (1)  investigate complaints;
   7-25              (2)  issue, suspend, deny, and revoke licenses;
   7-26              (3)  reprimand license holders and place license
   7-27  holders on probation;
    8-1              (4)  issue subpoenas; and
    8-2              (5)  hold hearings.
    8-3        (e)  The board shall keep an information file about each
    8-4  complaint that is filed with the board relating to a person or
    8-5  entity regulated by the board.  If a written complaint that the
    8-6  board has authority to resolve is filed with the board, the board,
    8-7  at least as frequently as quarterly and until the final disposition
    8-8  of the complaint, shall notify the parties to the complaint of the
    8-9  status of the complaint unless the notice would jeopardize an
   8-10  undercover investigation.
   8-11        (f)  The board shall propose rules consistent with this Act
   8-12  to carry out its duties in administering this Act and submit the
   8-13  proposed rules to the attorney general for review.  The board shall
   8-14  adopt rules consistent with the advice of the attorney general.  In
   8-15  adopting rules, the board shall consider the applicable policies
   8-16  and procedures of the department.
   8-17        (g)  The commissioner, with the advice of the board, shall
   8-18  appoint an executive director to administer this Act.  The board
   8-19  may use personnel, facilities, furniture, equipment, and other
   8-20  items supplied by the department to administer this Act.
   8-21        (h)  The executive director or the executive director's
   8-22  designee shall develop an intra-agency career ladder program.  The
   8-23  program shall require intra-agency posting of all nonentry level
   8-24  positions concurrently with any public posting.
   8-25        (i)  The executive director or the executive director's
   8-26  designee shall develop a system of annual performance evaluation
   8-27  based on measurable job tasks.  All merit pay for board employees
    9-1  shall be based on the system established under this subsection.
    9-2        (j)  The board shall prepare information of consumer interest
    9-3  describing the regulatory functions of the board and legal rights
    9-4  of consumers as provided by this Act.
    9-5        (k)  The board shall assist legal authorities in the
    9-6  prosecution of any person violating this Act.
    9-7        (l)  The board shall prepare or approve continuing education
    9-8  programs for license holders and shall adopt rules that require a
    9-9  license holder to participate in an approved continuing education
   9-10  program to renew a license issued under this Act.
   9-11        (m)  The board shall develop and implement policies that
   9-12  clearly define the respective responsibilities of the governing
   9-13  body of the board and the staff of the board.
   9-14        Sec. 6.  PUBLIC INFORMATION.  (a)  The board shall prepare
   9-15  information of public interest describing the functions of the
   9-16  board and describing the procedures by which complaints are filed
   9-17  with and resolved by the board.  The board shall make the
   9-18  information available to the general public and appropriate state
   9-19  agencies.
   9-20        (b)  The board by rule shall establish methods by which
   9-21  consumers and service recipients are notified of the name, mailing
   9-22  address, and telephone number of the board for the purpose of
   9-23  directing complaints to the board.  The board may provide for that
   9-24  notification:
   9-25              (1)  on each registration form, application, or written
   9-26  contract for services of an individual or entity regulated by the
   9-27  board;
   10-1              (2)  on a sign prominently displayed in the place of
   10-2  business of each individual or entity regulated by the board; or
   10-3              (3)  in a bill for service provided by an individual or
   10-4  entity regulated by the board.
   10-5        (c)  The board shall list along with its regular telephone
   10-6  number the toll-free telephone number that may be called to present
   10-7  a complaint about a person regulated or required to be regulated
   10-8  under this Act if the toll-free number is established under other
   10-9  state law.
  10-10        Sec. 7.  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS.  The board
  10-11  shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a
  10-12  reasonable opportunity to appear before the board and to speak on
  10-13  any issue under the jurisdiction of the board.
  10-14        Sec. 8.  PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY.  The board shall prepare and
  10-15  maintain a written plan that describes how a person who does not
  10-16  speak English can be provided reasonable access to the board's
  10-17  programs.  The board shall also comply with federal and state laws
  10-18  for program and facility accessibility.
  10-19        Sec. 9.  TRAINING; STANDARDS OF CONDUCT INFORMATION.  Each
  10-20  board member shall comply with the board member training
  10-21  requirements established by any other state agency that is given
  10-22  authority to establish the requirements for the board.
  10-23        Sec. 10.  OPEN MEETINGS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
  10-24  REQUIREMENTS.  The board is subject to Chapters 551 and 2001,
  10-25  Government Code.
  10-26        Sec. 11.  ORGANIZATION OF BOARD.  (a)  The members of the
  10-27  board shall elect from the membership of the board a presiding
   11-1  officer, secretary, and other officers required for the conduct of
   11-2  business.  Special meetings of the board shall be called by the
   11-3  presiding officer or on the written request of any three members.
   11-4  The board may adopt rules necessary to govern its proceedings.
   11-5        (b)  The executive director shall keep a record of each
   11-6  meeting of the board and maintain a register containing the names
   11-7  of all persons holding a license  under this Act.  The record and
   11-8  register shall be open at all times to public inspection.  On March
   11-9  1 of each year, the executive director shall send an official copy
  11-10  of the register of license holders to the secretary of state for
  11-11  permanent record.  A certified copy of the register is admissible
  11-12  as evidence in any court of this state.
  11-13        Sec. 12.  COMPENSATION.  A member of the board is entitled to
  11-14  compensation and reimbursement of the member's travel expenses as
  11-15  provided by the General Appropriations Act.
  11-16        Sec. 13.  EFFECT OF LOBBYING ACTIVITY.  A person may not
  11-17  serve as a member of the board or act as the general counsel to the
  11-18  board if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under
  11-19  Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities
  11-20  for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation
  11-21  of the board.
  11-22        Sec. 14.  PUBLIC MEMBERSHIP RESTRICTION.  A person is not
  11-23  eligible for appointment by the governor as a public member of the
  11-24  board if the person or person's spouse:
  11-25              (1)  is registered, certified, or licensed by an
  11-26  occupational regulatory agency in the field of health care;
  11-27              (2)  is employed by or participates in the management
   12-1  of a business entity or other organization regulated by the board
   12-2  or receiving funds from the board;
   12-3              (3)  owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
   12-4  than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
   12-5  organization regulated by the board or receiving funds from the
   12-6  board; or
   12-7              (4)  uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
   12-8  goods, services, or funds from the board, other than compensation
   12-9  or reimbursement authorized by law for board membership,
  12-10  attendance, or expenses.
  12-11        Sec. 15.  CONFLICT OF INTEREST RESTRICTIONS.  (a)  An
  12-12  officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association
  12-13  in the field of health care may not be a member or employee of the
  12-14  board who is exempt from the state's position classification plan
  12-15  or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the General
  12-16  Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group 17, of the position
  12-17  classification salary schedule.
  12-18        (b)  A person who is the spouse of an officer, manager, or
  12-19  paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of health
  12-20  care may not be a member of the board and may not be an employee of
  12-21  the board who is exempt from the state's position classification
  12-22  plan or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the
  12-23  General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group 17, of the
  12-24  position classification salary schedule.
  12-25        (c)  For the purposes of this section, a Texas trade
  12-26  association is a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined
  12-27  association of business or professional competitors in this state
   13-1  designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in
   13-2  dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in
   13-3  promoting their common interest.
   13-4        Sec. 16.  AUDIT.  The financial transactions of the board are
   13-5  subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter
   13-6  321, Government Code.
   13-7        Sec. 17.  REPORT TO GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.  During January
   13-8  of each year, the board shall file with the governor and the
   13-9  presiding officer of each house of the legislature a complete and
  13-10  detailed written report accounting for all funds received and
  13-11  disbursed by the board during the preceding year.
  13-12        Sec. 18.  EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICIES.  (a)  The
  13-13  executive director or the executive director's designee shall
  13-14  prepare and maintain a written policy statement to ensure
  13-15  implementation of a program of equal employment opportunity under
  13-16  which all personnel transactions are made without regard to race,
  13-17  color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin.  The
  13-18  policy statement must include:
  13-19              (1)  personnel policies, including policies relating to
  13-20  recruitment, evaluation, selection, application, training, and
  13-21  promotion of personnel that are in compliance with Chapter 21,
  13-22  Labor Code;
  13-23              (2)  a comprehensive analysis of the board workforce
  13-24  that meets federal and state guidelines;
  13-25              (3)  procedures by which a determination can be made of
  13-26  significant underutilization in the board workforce of all persons
  13-27  for whom federal or state guidelines encourage a more equitable
   14-1  balance; and
   14-2              (4)  reasonable methods to appropriately address those
   14-3  areas of underutilization.
   14-4        (b)  A policy statement prepared under Subsection (a) of this
   14-5  section must cover an annual period, be updated annually, be
   14-6  reviewed by the Commission on Human Rights for compliance with
   14-7  Subsection (a)(1) of this section, and be filed with the governor's
   14-8  office.
   14-9        (c)  The governor's office shall deliver a biennial report to
  14-10  the legislature based on the information received under Subsection
  14-11  (b) of this section.  The report may be made separately or as part
  14-12  of other biennial reports to the legislature.
  14-13        Sec. 19.  NOTICE OF STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.  The board shall
  14-14  provide to its members and employees, as often as necessary,
  14-15  information regarding their qualifications for office or employment
  14-16  under this Act and their responsibilities under applicable laws
  14-17  relating to standards of conduct for state officers or employees.
  14-18        Sec. 20.  APPROPRIATIONS TO TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.  The
  14-19  department shall receive and account for funds derived under this
  14-20  Act.  The department shall deposit all funds collected under this
  14-21  Act to the credit of the general revenue fund.
  14-22        Sec. 21.  EXEMPTIONS.  (a)  This Act does not restrict a
  14-23  license holder of another state agency from performing health care
  14-24  services within the scope of the license holder's applicable
  14-25  licensing act if:
  14-26              (1)  the license holder:
  14-27                    (A)  does not represent to others that the
   15-1  license holder practices the profession of orthotics or
   15-2  prosthetics;
   15-3                    (B)  is an orthotist, prosthetist, prosthetist
   15-4  orthotist or an assistant to a person in one of those professions;
   15-5  or
   15-6                    (C)  uses the terms "prosthetist," "prosthesis,"
   15-7  "prosthetic," "artificial limb," "orthotist," "orthosis,"
   15-8  "orthotic," "brace" or uses the letters "LP," "LPA," "LO," "LOA,"
   15-9  "LPO," "LPOA" or any derivative of those terms or letters in
  15-10  connection with the license holder's name or practice; and
  15-11              (2)  the license holder practices in conformance with
  15-12  the applicable laws and rules relating to the person's license and
  15-13  does not violate Section 22 of this Act.
  15-14        (b)  This Act does not apply to the activities and services
  15-15  of a person acting as a student in orthotics or prosthetics
  15-16  pursuing a course of study in a prosthetic or orthotic program at a
  15-17  college or university recognized by the American Medical
  15-18  Association and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of
  15-19  Allied Health Education Programs or working in a recognized
  15-20  training center or research facility if those activities and
  15-21  services constitute a part of the person's course of study in the
  15-22  discipline in which the person's supervisor is licensed under this
  15-23  Act.
  15-24        (c)  This Act does not apply to a podiatrist practicing under
  15-25  the law regulating podiatry (Article 4567 et seq., Revised
  15-26  Statutes).
  15-27        (d)  This Act does not apply to a pedorthist certified by the
   16-1  Board for Certification in Pedorthics.  For the purposes of this
   16-2  subsection, a certified pedorthist is a person certified by the
   16-3  Board for Certification in Pedorthics, or its successor entity, in
   16-4  the design, manufacture, fit, and modification of shoes and related
   16-5  foot orthoses below the ankle as prescribed by a licensed doctor of
   16-6  medicine or a doctor of podiatry for the amelioration of a painful
   16-7  or disabling condition of the foot.  "Foot orthosis" includes
   16-8  prosthetic toe fillers or orthosis for use below the ankle.
   16-9        (e)  This Act does not apply to a certified fitter or
  16-10  certified master orthotist who holds a credential issued by the
  16-11  National Association of Retail Druggists if the fitter or master
  16-12  orthotist is working within that person's scope of practice as
  16-13  defined by the maximum allowable payment schedule of the Texas
  16-14  Rehabilitation Commission.
  16-15        Sec. 22.  PROHIBITED ACTS.  (a)  A person may not practice,
  16-16  attempt to practice, or offer to practice prosthetics or orthotics,
  16-17  act as an assistant to a person who practices prosthetics or
  16-18  orthotics, or in any way hold the person out as being able to
  16-19  practice prosthetics or orthotics unless the person holds a license
  16-20  issued by the board under this Act.
  16-21        (b)  A person or the person's employees, agents, or
  16-22  representatives may not use in connection with the person's name or
  16-23  business activities the terms or a combination of the terms or
  16-24  letters described in Section 21(a)(1), indicate orally or in
  16-25  writing, directly or by implication, that a prosthetic or orthotic
  16-26  service is provided or supplied, or extend or provide prosthetic or
  16-27  orthotic services unless the person is a prosthetist or orthotist
   17-1  or an assistant to a prosthetist or orthotist licensed under this
   17-2  Act.
   17-3        (c)  A person licensed under this Act violates this Act if
   17-4  the person violates Section 161.091, Health and Safety Code.
   17-5        Sec. 23.  PROSTHETIST AND ORTHOTIST LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.
   17-6  (a)  To obtain a license to practice prosthetics or orthotics in
   17-7  this state, an individual must file a written application with the
   17-8  board on the form provided by the board, pay the nonrefundable
   17-9  application fee prescribed by the board, and have:
  17-10              (1)  completed the formal training, including the
  17-11  required hours of classroom education and clinical practice, in an
  17-12  area of study the board by rule determines to be necessary and
  17-13  appropriate;
  17-14              (2)  completed a clinical residency in the professional
  17-15  area for which licensure is sought that complies with the
  17-16  standards, guidelines, or procedures established by the board for a
  17-17  clinical residency offered in this state or in another state; and
  17-18              (3)  passed all written and practical examinations
  17-19  approved and required by the board.
  17-20        (b)  The requirements for a license established by board rule
  17-21  must include:
  17-22              (1)  either:
  17-23                    (A)  a bachelor's degree in orthotics and
  17-24  prosthetics from a college or university educational program
  17-25  recognized by the American Medical Association and the Commission
  17-26  on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or
  17-27                    (B)  a bachelor's degree and a prosthetic or
   18-1  orthotic certificate from a practitioner educational program
   18-2  recognized by the American Medical Association and the Commission
   18-3  on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; and
   18-4              (2)  not less than 1,900 hours of professional clinical
   18-5  residency completed under the direct supervision of a licensed
   18-6  orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or a licensed prosthetist
   18-7  orthotist in the discipline for which licensure is sought.
   18-8        (c)  A person may apply for an exemption from the license
   18-9  requirements adopted by the board under this section if the person
  18-10  applies not later than the 181st day after the date the board's
  18-11  initial rules under this Act are finally adopted and published and
  18-12  the person is a resident of this state who must have provided
  18-13  comprehensive orthotic, prosthetic, or orthotic and prosthetic care
  18-14  in this state for the three years preceding the date of the
  18-15  application.
  18-16        (d)  A person who has not provided comprehensive orthotic,
  18-17  prosthetic, or orthotic and prosthetic care for the three years
  18-18  required by Subsection (c) of this section may obtain a license to
  18-19  practice in this state by completing and passing all written and
  18-20  practical examinations approved and required by the board.
  18-21        Sec. 24.  PROSTHETIST OR ORTHOTIST ASSISTANT LICENSE.  (a)
  18-22  An applicant for a license as a prosthetist assistant or orthotist
  18-23  assistant must file a written application with the board on a form
  18-24  provided by the board and pay the nonrefundable application fee
  18-25  prescribed by the board.
  18-26        (b)  An applicant under this section must present evidence
  18-27  satisfactory to the board that the applicant has completed an
   19-1  educational program, including courses in the anatomical,
   19-2  biological, and physical sciences, and clinical residency as
   19-3  prescribed and adopted by the board.
   19-4        (c)  An assistant licensed under this section may provide
   19-5  only ancillary patient care services, as defined by the board, in
   19-6  the discipline in which the assistant's supervisor is licensed
   19-7  under this Act.
   19-8        (d)  A person may apply for an exemption from the license
   19-9  requirements adopted by the board under this section if the person
  19-10  applies not later than the 181st day after the date the board's
  19-11  initial rules under this Act are finally adopted and published and
  19-12  if the person is a resident of this state who has practiced within
  19-13  the scope of practice of an assistant, as defined by the board, for
  19-14  five consecutive years in this state.
  19-15        Sec. 25.  PROSTHETIC OR ORTHOTIC TECHNICIAN REGISTRATION.
  19-16  (a)  An applicant for registration as a registered prosthetic
  19-17  technician or registered orthotic technician must file a written
  19-18  application with the board on a form provided by the board and pay
  19-19  the nonrefundable application fee prescribed by the board.
  19-20        (b)  An applicant under this section must present evidence
  19-21  satisfactory to the board that the applicant has completed an
  19-22  educational program and laboratory experience as prescribed and
  19-23  adopted by the board.
  19-24        (c)  A person may apply for an exemption from the
  19-25  registration requirements adopted by the board under this section
  19-26  if the person applies not later than the 181st day after the date
  19-27  the board's initial rules under this Act are finally adopted and
   20-1  published and if the person is a resident of this state who has
   20-2  practiced as an orthotic or prosthetic technician for five
   20-3  consecutive years in this state.
   20-4        Sec. 26.  ACCREDITATION OF FACILITIES.  (a)  The board by
   20-5  rule shall adopt requirements for the accreditation and the renewal
   20-6  of an accreditation of an orthotic or prosthetic facility in which
   20-7  the profession and practice of orthotics or prosthetics is
   20-8  conducted.
   20-9        (b)  If one or more facilities are owned by a person, the
  20-10  board may require only one application for the accreditation of all
  20-11  the person's facilities.  Each orthotic or prosthetic facility must
  20-12  meet the requirements prescribed by the board.
  20-13        (c)  An orthotic or prosthetic facility must be under the
  20-14  on-site direction of an orthotist or prosthetist licensed by the
  20-15  board in the discipline for which accreditation is sought.
  20-16        (d)  The rules adopted under this section may not prohibit a
  20-17  licensed individual from practicing in an orthotic or prosthetic
  20-18  facility within the scope of the individual's license.
  20-19        Sec. 27.  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.  (a)  The board shall issue a
  20-20  license in prosthetics or orthotics to an applicant who meets the
  20-21  qualifications established under this Act and the requirements
  20-22  adopted by the board as provided by this Act.  A license is valid
  20-23  for two years from the date issued and may be renewed before
  20-24  expiration.
  20-25        (b)  The board may issue a license or registration under this
  20-26  Act only to an individual.  The board may issue an accreditation
  20-27  only to an orthotic or prosthetic facility.
   21-1        (c)  A license may be granted in either orthotics or
   21-2  prosthetics, or in both fields, if the person meets the
   21-3  requirements established by the board.
   21-4        Sec. 28.  PROVISIONAL LICENSE.  (a)  A person practicing
   21-5  comprehensive prosthetic or orthotic patient management who does
   21-6  not meet the requirements of this Act for licensing as a
   21-7  prosthetist or orthotist by October 1, 1996, and is not exempt
   21-8  under this  Act, must comply with the requirements of Sections
   21-9  23(a) and (b) of this Act on or before October 1, 2002.
  21-10        (b)  A person subject to this section may apply for a
  21-11  prosthetist or orthotist provisional license by filing a written
  21-12  application with the board on a form provided by the board and
  21-13  paying a nonrefundable application fee prescribed by the board.
  21-14        (c)  A provisional license may only be issued to an
  21-15  individual who is actively engaged in complying with the
  21-16  educational and clinical licensing requirements of Sections 23(a)
  21-17  and (b) of this Act.  A provisional license may be revoked by the
  21-18  board if the board determines that the provisional license holder
  21-19  is not in compliance with this section.
  21-20        (d)  A provisional license is valid for two years from the
  21-21  date issued and may be renewed with documentation as required by
  21-22  board rule.
  21-23        (e)  This section expires January 1, 2003.
  21-24        Sec. 29.  TEMPORARY LICENSE.  (a)  The board may issue a
  21-25  temporary license to an individual who:
  21-26              (1)  has recently become a resident of this state;
  21-27              (2)  has applied for licensing as an orthotist,
   22-1  prosthetist, or both; and
   22-2              (3)  has been licensed by the state in which the person
   22-3  formerly resided that has licensing requirements that are equal to
   22-4  or exceed the requirements of this Act.
   22-5        (b)  A temporary license is valid for one year from the date
   22-6  issued.  A temporary license may be renewed for not more than one
   22-7  additional year if the applicant presents to the board sufficient
   22-8  evidence of good cause for renewal.
   22-9        Sec. 30.  STUDENT REGISTRATION.  (a)  The board may issue a
  22-10  student registration certificate to an individual who:
  22-11              (1)  holds either:
  22-12                    (A)  a bachelor's degree in orthotics and
  22-13  prosthetics conferred by a college or university recognized by the
  22-14  American Medical Association and accredited by the Commission on
  22-15  Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or
  22-16                    (B)  a bachelor's degree and an orthotic or
  22-17  prosthetic certificate from an educational program recognized by
  22-18  the American Medical Association and accredited by the Commission
  22-19  on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; and
  22-20              (2)  is working toward fulfillment of the requirements
  22-21  for licensing as a prosthetist, orthotist, or prosthetist
  22-22  orthotist.
  22-23        (b)  A student registrant may work only under the direct
  22-24  supervision of a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or
  22-25  licensed prosthetist orthotist who is responsible for the acts of
  22-26  the student registrant and is licensed in the discipline of the
  22-27  clinical residency.
   23-1        (c)  A student registration certificate is valid for two
   23-2  years from the date issued and may be renewed once for an
   23-3  additional two years.
   23-4        Sec. 31.  EXAMINATION EXEMPTION.  The board may accept as a
   23-5  substitute for the examination requirement proof that the applicant
   23-6  for the exemption holds a current license in a state that has
   23-7  licensing requirements that are equal to or exceed the requirements
   23-8  of this Act.
   23-9        Sec. 32.  CONTINUING EDUCATION.  (a)  An applicant for
  23-10  renewal of a license shall submit to the board evidence of
  23-11  satisfactory completion of the continuing education requirements
  23-12  required by the board.
  23-13        (b)  The board shall notify each license holder of the
  23-14  holder's failure to comply with the board's continuing education
  23-15  requirements and shall notify the license holder that if the holder
  23-16  does not obtain the required continuing education before the
  23-17  expiration of three months after the date the notice was given, the
  23-18  board may take any action authorized by this Act concerning the
  23-19  suspension or revocation of the holder's license.
  23-20        Sec. 33.  DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS.  (a)  After notice and
  23-21  opportunity for a hearing, the board may revoke, suspend, or refuse
  23-22  to renew a license issued under this Act on a finding that:
  23-23              (1)  the license was obtained by fraud,
  23-24  misrepresentation, or concealment of a material fact;
  23-25              (2)  the person engaged in fraud or deceit in
  23-26  connection with services provided by the person;
  23-27              (3)  the person engaged in unprofessional or unethical
   24-1  conduct;
   24-2              (4)  the person engaged in gross negligence or
   24-3  malpractice; or
   24-4              (5)  the person violated this Act or a rule adopted
   24-5  under this Act.
   24-6        (b)  A license  revoked under Subsection (a) of this section
   24-7  may be reinstated after the first anniversary of the date of the
   24-8  revocation by the board on terms the board determines to be
   24-9  necessary.
  24-10        Sec. 34.  CIVIL PENALTY.  (a)  A person who violates this Act
  24-11  is subject to a civil penalty of $200 for the first violation and
  24-12  $500 for each subsequent violation.  At the request of the board,
  24-13  the attorney general shall bring an action in the name of the state
  24-14  to collect a civil penalty under this section.
  24-15        (b)  Each day a violation of Section 22 of this Act continues
  24-16  is a separate violation for the purpose of this section.
  24-17        SECTION 2.  (a)  In making the initial appointments to the
  24-18  Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics, the governor shall, not
  24-19  later than October 1, 1995, appoint:
  24-20              (1)  two members for terms expiring February 1, 1997;
  24-21              (2)  two members for terms expiring February 1, 1999;
  24-22  and
  24-23              (3)  two members for terms expiring February 1, 2001.
  24-24        (b)  The initial members of the board appointed under
  24-25  Subsection (a) of this section shall have the qualifications
  24-26  required by this subsection.  One member must be an orthotist
  24-27  certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and
   25-1  Prosthetics, Inc., be a resident of this state, and have practiced
   25-2  orthotics for the five years preceding the date of appointment.
   25-3  Two members must be orthotists who hold a credential issued by the
   25-4  Board of Orthotist Certification, are residents of this state, and
   25-5  have practiced orthotics for the five years preceding the date of
   25-6  appointment.  One member must be a prosthetist orthotist certified
   25-7  by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and
   25-8  Prosthetics, Inc., be a resident of this state, and have practiced
   25-9  prosthetics and orthotics for the five years preceding the date of
  25-10  appointment.  One member must be a representative of the public who
  25-11  uses an orthosis.  One member must be a representative of the
  25-12  public who uses a prosthesis.
  25-13        (c)  A member appointed under this section to a place on the
  25-14  board required to be held by a person licensed under Article 8920,
  25-15  Revised Statutes, as added by this Act, may continue to serve
  25-16  without having the appropriate license until February 1, 1997, by
  25-17  which date the person must obtain the required license.
  25-18        (d)  The board shall adopt rules under Article 8920, Revised
  25-19  Statutes, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 1996.
  25-20        SECTION 3.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  25-21  section, this Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
  25-22        (b)  Sections 22 and 34, Article 8920, Revised Statutes, as
  25-23  added by this Act, take effect October 1, 1996.
  25-24        SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
  25-25  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
  25-26  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
  25-27  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   26-1  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.