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.