SRC-TJG H.B. 3193 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3193
78R7368 YDB-DBy: Uresti (Madla)
Health & Human Services
5/19/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, dental assistants can apply pit and fissure sealants if the
delegating dentist is a Medicaid provider.  This authority was granted by
S.B. 3507 in the 77th Legislature.  Many dental assistants have already
been trained and certified for this purpose by the State Board of Dental
Examiners.  H.B. 3193 adds that the dental assistant can perform this
procedure if the delegating dentist practices in an area that the Texas
Department of Health has determined to be underserved.  

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 Section 258.002(b), Occupations Code, to authorize a
licensed dentist to delegate, under Subsection (a), the application of a
pit and fissure sealant to a dental assistant if the dentist is a Medicaid
provider or the dentist practices in an area determined to be underserved
by the Texas Department of Health. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 265.003(b), Occupations Code, to authorize a
dental assistant to apply a pit and fissure sealant under Subsection (a)
only if certain conditions apply. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.