S.B. 769 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 769
By: Carona
Public Health
Committee Report (Unamended)

    

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 
The 77th Texas Legislature set forth provisions relating to the practice,
education, and training of 
a surgical assistant, and created an advisory committee to advise the
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners concerning the regulation of
surgical assistants. However, inconsistencies between the state statutory
surgical assistant licensure processes and federal surgical assistant 
certification standards have led to a surgical assistance shortage in
Texas. This bill provides that 
a surgical assistant license expires on the second anniversary of the date
of issuance. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 206.210(a), Occupations Code, to provide that a
surgical assistant's  license expires on the second anniversary of the
date of issuance. Requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners by
rule to provide for the renewal of a surgical assistant license. 

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 206, Occupations Code, by adding
Section 206.2525, as follows: 

Sec. 206.2525. REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES. (a) Provides that this chapter
does 
not limit the way in which a surgical assistant licensed under this
chapter may be reimbursed 
for services.

(b) Authorizes a surgical assistant licensed under this chapter to
directly bill a patient 
or third-party payor for services provided by the surgical assistant.

SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2003.

(b) Makes application of Section 206.210(a), as amended by this Act,
prospective. 


EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2003.