Amend CSHB 2017 as follows:
      (1)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in proposed Section
531.0215(c), Government Code (senate committee report, page 1, line
30), after the period, insert "The commission may not require that
a service be provided to a patient through telemedicine when the
service can reasonably be provided by a physician through a
face-to-face consultation with the patient in the community in
which the patient resides or works.  This subsection does not
prohibit the authorization of the provision of any service to a
patient through telemedicine at the patient's request.".
      (2)  In SECTION 1 of the bill, in proposed Section 531.0215,
Government Code (senate committee report, page 1, between lines 30
and 31), insert the following new Subsection (d) and renumber
current Subsection (d) as (e):
      (d)  Subject to Section 5.11, Medical Practice Act (Article
4495b, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), the commission may adopt
rules as necessary to implement this section.
      (3)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the
bill and renumber existing SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
      SECTION ____. Subchapter E, Medical Practice Act (Article
4495b, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by adding Section
5.11 to read as follows:
      Sec. 5.11.  RULES REGARDING TELEMEDICINE SERVICES. The board,
in consultation with the Health and Human Services Commission and
the commissioner of insurance, may adopt rules as necessary to:
            (1)  ensure that appropriate care is provided to
patients who receive services that are provided through
telemedicine; and
            (2)  prevent abuse and fraud in the use of telemedicine
services, including rules relating to filing of claims and records
required to be maintained in relation to telemedicine.