SRC-DBM H.B. 573 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 573 76R7738 JMM-DBy: Pitts (Nelson) Health Services 4/23/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, medical professionals are not allowed to count hours spent volunteering their care services in free clinics towards their continuing education hour requirement. H.B. 573 would set forth continuing education requirements for certain medical professionals. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 573 sets forth continuing education requirements for certain medical professionals. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners in SECTIONS 1 and 2 (Section 3.026(b), Article 4495b, V.T.C.S. and Section 10A(b), Article 4495b-1, V.T.C.S. ) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Medical Practice Act , Article 4495b, V.T.C.S., by adding Section 3.026, as follows: Sec. 3.026. CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT FOR CERTAIN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL SERVICES. Defines "a site serving a medically underserved population." Requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (board), by rule, to permit a license holder to complete half of any informal continuing medical education hours required under Section 3.025 of this Act by providing volunteer medical services at a site serving a medically underserved population other than a site that is a primary practice site of the license holder. SECTION 2. Amends the Physician Assistant Licensing Act, Article 4495b-1, V.T.C.S., by adding Section 10A, as follows: Sec. 10A. CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT FOR CERTAIN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL SERVICES. Requires the board, by rule, to permit a license holder to complete half of any informal continuing medical education hours required under this Act by providing volunteer medical services at a site serving a medically underserved population other than a site that is a primary practice site of the license holder. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1999. (b) Requires an entity required to adopt rules under this act to adopt rules required by this Act not later than January 1, 2000. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.