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.