SRC-JXG H.B. 1420 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 1420 By: Alvarado (Truan) Health Services 5/12/1999 Committee Report (Amended) 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, unless providing a copy would jeopardize an investigation. 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, unless providing a copy would jeopardize an investigation. 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 maintain an information file about each complaint filed with the board. Authorizes the board to provide a copy of the complaint to the license holder, unless providing a copy would jeopardize an investigation, and, at least quarterly and until final disposition of the complaint, shall notify the parties to the complaint of the status of the complaint unless the notification would jeopardize an undercover investigation, if a written complaint is filed with the board. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.