SRC-VRA S.B. 769 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 769
78R5710 SMH-FBy: Carona
Health & Human Services
3/17/2003
As Filed


DIGEST 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.  As proposed, S.B. 769 would reduce the
current 2000 hour requirement to 1200 hours to more closely reflect the
work experience requirements of the national certifying bodies. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Ruelemaking authority expressly granted to the Texas State Board of
Medical Examiners is modified in SECTION 3 (Section 206.210(a),
Occupations Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 206.203(b), Occupations Code, to decrease from
2,000 to 1,200 the required number of hours of performance for licensing
as an assistant in surgical procedures.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 206.205, Occupations Code, by amending
Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d), as follows: 

(b)  Provides that a person who is otherwise eligible for a license under
Section 206.203 is not required to meet the educational requirements under
Section 206.203(B)(2), if the person applies for a license before
September 1, 2007, holds at least an associate's degree, has successfully
completed certain academic courses approved by the Texas State Board of
Medical Examiners (TSBME) and has graduated from a surgical assistant
program approved by TSBME.  Makes conforming changes. 

 (c)  Makes a conforming change.

 (d)  Authorizes TSBME to approve certain academic courses and programs.

SECTION 3.  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 TSBME by rule to provide for the renewal of a
surgical assistant license. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Chapter 206F, 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 5.(a)  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

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