S.B. 787 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 787
By: Carona
Public Health
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 
Currently, Texas law states that an applicant for a license to practice
medicine in this state must pass each part of an examination within seven
years. Texas law, however, provides an exception 
for an applicant who is a graduate of a program designed to lead to both a
doctor of philosophy 
degree and a doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathy degree.
These applicants must 
pass each part of an examination not later than the second anniversary of
the date the applicant 
was awarded a doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathy degree.
However, Texas law is 
not in concert with the majority of states and has resulted in Texas
losing highly qualified  
physicians. As proposed, this bill would make Texas law commensurate with
the regulations of 
other states.

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
This bill changes the deadline for passing each part of the examination
for a license to practice medicine from within seven years to within ten
years.  The bill also changes the deadline for completing the examination
for a license to practice medicine for an applicant who is a graduate of a
program designed to lead to both a doctor of philosophy degree and a
doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy degree to not later than the
second anniversary of the date the applicant completed the graduate
medical training.  In addition the bill provides an applicant complying
with Section 155.056 of the Occupations Code and is a member of a certain
specialty board, the opportunity to obtain a medical license in the state
of Texas.  


EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003. 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS
This bill is amended to  add an addition subsection which provides that an
applicant complying with Section 155.056 of the Occupations Code and is a
member of a certain specialty board, the opportunity to obtain a medical
license in the state of Texas.