By:  Carona                                                       S.B. No. 769
	(In the Senate - Filed February 28, 2003; March 5, 2003, 
read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human 
Services; May 8, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable 
Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; 
May 8, 2003, sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 769                                    By:  Carona


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.  Subsection (a), Section 206.210, 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 2.  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 3.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                      
	(b)  Subsection (a), Section 206.210, 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.



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