HBA-MPM H.B. 398 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 398 By: Smith Public Health 67/10/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In some instances, there has been confusion over the ability or right of an individual to procure personal billing records regarding medical services provided to them. While physicians are required to provide medical records within a set time period after receiving a written request, prior to the 77th Legislature, state law did not specify a time limit for billing records, and individuals might have waited a lengthy period of time to receive their records. House Bill 398 includes billing records in medical record provisions related to physician-patient communication. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners in SECTION 6 (Section 159.0061, Occupations Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS House Bill 398 amends the Occupations Code to include billing records in medical record provisions related to physician-patient communication. EFFECTIVE DATE June 15, 2001.