SRC-VRA S.B. 787 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 787
78R6040 SMH-DBy: Carona
Health & Human Services
3/16/2003
As Filed


DIGEST 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, S.B. 787 would make Texas law
commensurate with the regulations of other states. 

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 155.051, Occupations Code, as follows:

(a)  Increases from seven to ten years the amount of time during which an
applicant for a license to practice medicine must pass an examination. 

(b)  Requires certain medical degree candidates to pass an examination not
later than the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed the
graduate medical training described by Section 155.003 (a) (5),
Occupations Code.    

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

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