SRC-JFA S.B. 1243 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1243
By: Madla
Health & Human Services
3-31-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the State Board of Examiners of Perfusionists (board) 
regulate and govern perfusionists 
under Article 4529e, V.T.C.S., the Licensed Perfusionists Act.  A 
perfusionist is a health care 
professional who operates the heart/lung machine during open 
heart surgery and keeps a surgical 
patient alive while the patient's heart is stopped.  The Act 
authorizes the board to contract with the 
American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) to develop the 
licensure examination it 
administers.  Section 9 of the Act specifies the maximum amount 
the board may impose for the 
examination and other fees.  The cost of ABCP's examination now 
exceeds the $100 maximum the 
board is authorized to impose under the Act.  The Act also 
authorizes perfusionists qualified to 
practice in other states to practice in Texas for up to 30 days 
per year without securing a Texas 
license.  The board believes  that foreign perfusionists are 
practicing in Texas in excess of the 30-day 
limit.  This bill would remove the limitations on the amount of 
fees that the board is authorized to 
impose in connection with a perfusionist's license.  
Additionally, this bill would require persons 
authorized to practice perfusion in another state to notify the 
board and secure its approval prior to 
practicing in Texas and would reduce the permissible length of 
temporary practice for such 
perfusionists from 30 to 10 days per year. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1243 removes the limitations on the amount of 
fees that the State Board of 
Examiners of Perfusionists is authorized to impose in connection 
with a perfusionist's license. 
Additionally, the bill amends the exemptions to the Licensed 
Perfusionists Act, Article 4529e, 
V.T.C.S.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a 
state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 9, Article 4529e, V.T.C.S. (Licensed 
Perfusionists Act), to delete 
Subsection (b), which sets forth the limitations on the amount of 
fees that the State Board of 
Examiners of Perfusionists (board) is authorized to impose in 
connection with a license under this 
article.  Makes conforming changes.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 17, Article 4529e, V.T.C.S.,  to provide 
that this article does not 
apply to a person licensed by another health professional 
licensing board if, among other items, a 
person is not a resident of this state and, among other 
conditions, the person performs perfusionist's 
activities and services after prior notice to and approval by the 
board or its designated agent, for not 
more than 10, rather than 30, days in any one year.  Makes a 
conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.