SRC-DBM S.B. 524 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 524 76R5477 SMH-DBy: Moncrief Health Services 3/26/1999 As Filed (REVISED) DIGEST Currently, a consumer can 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 would allow public disclosure of certain disciplinary actions of the board. PURPOSE As proposed, 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, 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 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.