By Lindsay S.B. No. 1347 76R8780 T A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the evaluation and approval of continuing education for 1-3 physical therapists. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 16A, Chapter 836, Acts of the 62nd 1-6 Legislature, Regular Session, 1971 (Article 4512e, Vernon's Texas 1-7 Civil Statutes) is amended to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 16A. MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a) The board by 1-9 rule shall adopt requirements for mandatory continuing education 1-10 for licensees under this Act in subjects pertaining to the practice 1-11 of physical therapy. The board by rule shall establish a minimum 1-12 number of hours of continuing education required to renew a 1-13 license. The board may assess the continuing education needs of 1-14 licensees and may require licensees to attend continuing education 1-15 courses specified by the board. The board by rule shall develop a 1-16 process to evaluate and approve continuing education courses, and 1-17 shall authorize licensee peer organizations to evaluate and approve 1-18 such courses in accordance with the established process. 1-19 (b) The board shall identify the key factors for the 1-20 competent performance by a licensee of the licensee's professional 1-21 duties. The board shall adopt a procedure to assess a licensee's 1-22 participation and performance in continuing education programs. 1-23 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-24 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-1 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-2 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-3 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-4 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-5 passage, and it is so enacted.