By Delisi                                             H.B. No. 2626

         75R8968 CAG-D                           

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

 1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to the creation of a statewide preceptorship program in

 1-3     public health settings.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 58, Education Code, is amended by adding

 1-6     Section 58.009 to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 58.009.  STATEWIDE PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC

 1-8     HEALTH SETTINGS.  (a)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating

 1-9     Board may contract with  one or more organizations to operate a

1-10     statewide preceptorship program in a public health setting for

1-11     medical students enrolled in Texas medical schools.

1-12           (b)  An organization eligible to receive funds under this

1-13     subsection must:

1-14                 (1)  qualify for exemption from federal income tax

1-15     under  Section 501, Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.

1-16     Section 501); or

1-17                 (2)  be operated by a state accredited medical school

1-18     as defined in Section 61.501(1).

1-19           (c)  Students eligible to participate in the preceptorship

1-20     programs under this section must indicate an interest in a career

1-21     providing primary care.

1-22           (d)  The board may create and appoint an advisory committee

1-23     to  assist the board in the operation of the program.

1-24           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the

 2-1     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-2     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-3     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-4     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

 2-5     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

 2-6     passage, and it is so enacted.