SRC-VRA C.S.S.B. 769 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 769 78R13413 SMH-FBy: Carona Health & Human Services 5/7/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. C.S.S.B. 769 provides that a surgical assistant license expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Ruelemaking authority expressly granted to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 206.210(a), Occupations Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION 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.