LSL H.B. 2641 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC HEALTH
H.B. 2641
By: Seaman
4-2-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

Peer assistance programs for professional occupations offer services to
their members who have developed living problems as the result of
emotional, mental, or substance abuse abuse situations. Most peer
assistance programs are funded by licensing of individuals or licensing
renewal of professional individuals. The Texas Dental Peer Assistance
Program, an independent Texas corporation, is endorsed and promoted by the
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the Texas Dental Association. It
is primarily funded by a surcharge inclusive in dentist and hygienist
license fees. Legislation is needed to raise the allowable surcharge rate
that the Texas Board of Dental Examiners may charge. The surcharge rate,
which no longer generates the amounts necessary to fund the Dental Peer
Assistance Program, has not been raised since its inception in 1989 and
only affects practicing dentists and dental hygienists. 

PURPOSE

HB 2641 enables the Texas Board of Dental Examiners to raise the rate of
its allowable surcharge on professional licenses in order to raise funds
for the Dental Peer Assistance Program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1.  Amends Section 467.004(a), Health and Safety Code, to exempt
Section 467.0041(b), Health and Safety Code, from the $5 surcharge limit
placed on license and license renewal fees to fund approved peer
assistance programs.   

Section 2.  Amends Section 467.0041(b), Health and Safety Code, to allow
the Board of Dental Examiners to add a surcharge of not more than $10 on
licensing or licensing renewal.  This change would increase the allowable
surcharge fee from the present $5 limit to a $10 limit. 

Section 3.  Effective date is September 1, 1997.

Section 4.  Emergency Clause.