SRC-MKV S.B. 595 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 595 77R5903 GJH-DBy: Harris Health & Human Services 2/19/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to provide physician complaint information to a health care entity. Eighty percent of these complaints are without merit and negatively impacts the reputation of physicians and requires physicians to justify their actions in all future dealings with hospitals, insurance companies and other providers. S.B. 595 limits the release of these reports only to instances when there is a negative finding. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 154B, Occupations Code, by adding Section 154.0525, as follows: Sec. 154.0525. COMPLAINT CONFIDENTIALITY. Provides that the basis of and current status of any complaint under active investigation is confidential, except as otherwise provided by this chapter. SECTION 2. Amends Section 154.054, Occupations Code, to delete language regarding the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners providing information to a health care entity regarding the basis of and current status of any complaint under active investigation. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.