SRC-JXG H.B. 1420 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1420
By: Alvarado (Truan)
Health Services
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not entitle a podiatrist to receive a copy of a
complaint filed against the podiatrist, or a mechanism for the Texas State
Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (board) to expunge frivolous
complaints from the file of a license holder.  H.B. 1420 would require the
board to provide a copy of each complaint to the license holder, and, if a
complaint is found to be unwarranted, to expunge from the license holder's
file the complaint and any information obtained in the investigation of the
complaint. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1420 requires the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical
Examiners to provide a copy of each complaint to the license holder, and,
if a complaint is found to be unwarranted, to expunge from the license
holder's file the complaint and any information obtained in the
investigation of the complaint. 

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 Article 4573(a), V.T.C.S., to require the Texas State
Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (board) to provide a copy of the
complaint to the license holder, if  a written complaint is filed with the
board.  

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.