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.