SRC-SLL, DBM, ARR S.B. 524 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 524
By: Moncrief
Health Services
8/17/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, a consumer may call the Board of Dental Examiners (board) to
find out if any disciplinary action has been taken against a dentist for
example, suspension or revocation of a license.  One disciplinary action
the board uses is the warning letter; however, if a consumer contacts the
board regarding whether or not a dentist has received any warning letters,
this information will not be disclosed.  S.B. 524 allows public disclosure
of certain disciplinary actions of the board. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 524 allows public disclosure of certain disciplinary
actions of the Board of Dental Examiners. 

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 Section 2(a), Article 4548h, V.T.C.S., to authorize the
State Board of Dental Examiners (board) to issue a warning letter to a
person licensed to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in Texas, if, in
the opinion of a majority of the board, that person has violated certain
laws. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 2, Article 4549, V.T.C.S., to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 2, Article 4550, V.C.T.S., to provide that the
exception from public disclosure of investigating files and records does
not apply to certain disciplinary actions of the State board of dental
examiners including:  the revocation or suspension of a license; the
imposition of a fine on a license holder; the placement on probation with
conditions of a license holder whose license has been suspended; the
reprimand of a license holder; or the issuance of a warning letter to a
license holder. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.