78R5710 SMH-F
By: Carona S.B. No. 769
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the licensing and regulation of surgical assistants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 206.203(b), Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) In addition to meeting the requirements of Subsection
(a), a person must:
(1) pass the examination required by Section 206.204;
(2) hold at least an associate's degree based on
completion of an educational program that is substantially
equivalent to the education required for a registered nurse or
physician assistant who specializes in surgical assisting;
(3) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the medical
board the completion of full-time work experience performed in this
country under the direct supervision of a physician licensed in
this country and consisting of at least 1,200 [2,000] hours of
performance as an assistant in surgical procedures for the three
years preceding the date of application; and
(4) possess a current certification by a national
certifying body approved by the medical board.
SECTION 2. Section 206.205, Occupations Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read
as follows:
(b) 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:
(1) the person applies for a license under this
section before September 1, 2002, and:
(A) [(1)] will complete before the third
anniversary of the date the license is issued under this
subdivision [subsection] the following academic courses approved
by the medical board:
(i) [(A)] anatomy;
(ii) [(B)] physiology;
(iii) [(C)] basic pharmacology;
(iv) [(D)] aseptic techniques;
(v) [(E)] operative procedures;
(vi) [(F)] chemistry; and
(vii) [(G)] microbiology; or
(B) [(2)] has been continuously certified since
September 30, 1995, as a surgical assistant by a national
certifying body approved by the medical board and has practiced
full-time as a surgical assistant under the direct supervision of a
physician licensed in this country; or
(2) the person applies for a license under this
section before September 1, 2007, holds at least an associate's
degree, and:
(A) has successfully completed academic courses
approved by the medical board in anatomy, physiology, basic
pharmacology, chemistry, and microbiology and clinical instruction
approved by the medical board in aseptic techniques and operative
procedures; or
(B) has graduated from a surgical assistant
program approved by the board.
(c) A license issued under Subsection (b)(1) may not be
renewed after the third anniversary of the date of issuance unless
the license holder completes the academic courses described by
Subsection (b)(1)(A) [(b)(1)].
(d) The medical board may approve:
(1) academic courses and clinical instruction under
Subsection (b)(2)(A) only if the courses or instruction meet or
exceed the standards adopted by the Commission on Accreditation of
Allied Health Education Programs; and
(2) a surgical assistant program under Subsection
(b)(2)(B) only if the program:
(A) is recognized and accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or
(B) has educational standards that are
equivalent to or exceed the standards adopted by the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
SECTION 3. Section 206.210(a), Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A surgical assistant license expires on the second
anniversary of the date of issuance. The medical board by rule
shall provide for the [annual] renewal of a surgical assistant
license.
SECTION 4. Subchapter F, Chapter 206, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 206.2525 to read as follows:
Sec. 206.2525. REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES. (a) This
chapter does not limit the way in which a surgical assistant
licensed under this chapter may be reimbursed for services.
(b) A surgical assistant licensed under this chapter may
directly bill a patient or third-party payor for services provided
by the surgical assistant.
SECTION 5. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
(b) Section 206.210(a), Occupations Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to the expiration of an original or renewal
license that is issued on or after the effective date of this Act.