SRC-CTC H.B. 1018 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1018
By: Hardcastle (Haywood)
Health & Human Services
4/6/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many rural communities in Texas are experiencing a shortage of
health care professionals. As proposed, H.B. 1018 requires the Texas State
Board of Medical Examiners to aid rural and medically underserved areas
recruit physicians from out of state by implementing an expedited licensing
process for physicians who are already licensed in another state or country
and intend to practice in a rural community in Texas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas State Board of
Medical Examiners in SECTION 1 (Section 155.1025, Occupations Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 155C, Occupations Code, by adding Section
155.1025, as follows: 

Sec. 155.1025.  EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR CERTAIN APPLICANTS.  Requires the
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (board) to adopt rules for
expediting any application for a license under this subtitle made by a
person who is licensed to practice medicine in another state or country and
who submits an affidavit with the application that the applicant intends to
practice in a rural community as determined by the Center for Rural Health
Initiatives. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.