By:  Carona                                                       S.B. No. 788
	(In the Senate - Filed February 28, 2003; March 5, 2003, 
read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human 
Services; May 16, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable 
Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0, 
1 present not voting; May 16, 2003, sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 788                                    By:  Carona


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to the issuance of a limited license to practice medicine 
to certain applicants.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 155, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 155.006 to read as follows:
	Sec. 155.006.  ISSUANCE OF LIMITED LICENSE.  (a)  The board 
may adopt rules and prescribe fees related to the issuance of a 
license under this section that is limited in scope to an applicant 
by virtue of the applicant's conceded eminence and authority in the 
applicant's profession.
	(b)  An applicant is eligible for a limited license under 
this section on presenting proof satisfactory to the board that the 
applicant:
		(1)  is recommended to the board by the dean, 
president, or chief academic officer of:
			(A)  a school of medicine in this state;                              
			(B)  The University of Texas Health Center at 
Tyler;                
			(C)  The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer 
Center; or        
			(D)  a program of graduate medical education, 
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical 
Education or the American Osteopathic Association, that exceeds the 
requirements for eligibility for first board certification in the 
discipline;
		(2)  is expected to receive an appointment at the 
institution or program making the recommendation under Subdivision 
(1); and
		(3)  meets any other requirements prescribed by board 
rule adopted under this section.
	(c)  In adopting rules under this section, the board may 
adopt rules that prescribe additional qualifications for an 
applicant, including education and examination requirements, 
conditions of employment, and application procedures.  The board by 
rule may qualify, restrict, or otherwise limit a license issued 
under this section.
	(d)  The board by rule may define "conceded eminence and 
authority in the applicant's profession."  In adopting rules under 
this subsection, the board shall consider criteria that include a 
person's:
		(1)  academic appointments;                                            
		(2)  length of time in a profession;                                   
		(3)  scholarly publications; and                                       
		(4)  professional accomplishments.                                     
	(e)  The board may require that the holder of a license under 
this section serve a six-month probationary period during which 
medical services provided by the license holder are supervised by  
another licensed physician.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                      
	(b)  The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners shall adopt 
rules necessary to implement the requirements of Section 155.006, 
Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than March 1, 
2004.



* * * * *