SRC-DBM C.S.S.B. 676 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 676
76R8714  JMM-FBy: Lucio
Health Services
3/24/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law has no sanctions or penalties which would prevent a
person without adequate instruction and training in manipulations or
adjustments of the human spine from performing this procedure.  Spinal
manipulations or adjustments by improperly trained persons pose potential
health risks to the public.  C.S.S.B. 676 would regulate the practice of
spinal manipulation by certain health care providers and provide a penalty
for unqualified persons attempting to practice spinal manipulation. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 676 regulates the practice of spinal manipulation by
certain health care providers and provides a penalty for unqualified
persons attempting to practice spinal manipulation. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "health care provider," "license,"
"spinal manipulation," and "state agency." 

SECTION 2.  PERFORMANCE OF SPINAL MANIPULATION.  Authorizes a person to
perform spinal manipulation only if the person is licensed by the Texas
Board of Medical Examiners, except for an acupuncturist, or the Texas Board
of Chiropractic Examiners. 

SECTION 3.  SANCTIONS.  Provides that a health care provider who violates
this Act is subject to suspension or revocation of a person's license,
refusal to renew a person's license, or any other disciplinary action
authorized by law. 

SECTION 4.   OFFENSE.  Provides that a person commits a state jail felony,
if the person is not a health care provider and the person performs a
spinal manipulation for compensation or an expectation of compensation. 

SECTION 5.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 6.Emergency clause.    

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

 Redefines "spinal manipulation."

SECTION 2.

Authorizes only a person who is licensed by the Texas Board of Medical
Examiners, except for an acupuncturist, or the Texas Board of Chiropractic
Examiners, rather than physicians, osteopaths, and licensed chiropractors,
to perform spinal manipulation. 


 SECTION 4.

Provides that a person commits a state jail felony, rather than third
degree feloney, if the person is not a health care provider and the person
performs a spinal manipulation for compensation or an expectation of
compensation.