BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 986

79R4568 DWS-D                                                                                         By: Chavez (Shapleigh)

Transportation & Homeland Security

5/19/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As a part of terrorism readiness, the medical community must be adequately prepared to quickly mobilize health care professionals into the proper areas in the event of a terrorist act or natural disaster.  Currently, in Texas, there is no uniform method of identification of medical professionals, which is necessary to authorize those persons to cross police barricades and provide assistance in emergency situations.   To identify medical practitioners, H.B. 986 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to designate a healthcare professional information field on Texas driver's licenses. 

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 521.001(a), Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (5-a) to define "health care practitioner."

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 521.101, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (j), as follows:

(j)  Requires a personal identification certificate issued to the practitioner, on request of a health care practitioner, to include a statement of the type of health care practitioner license the person holds. Requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (department) to require a person who makes a request under this section to provide proof satisfactory to the department of the type of health care practitioner license the person holds.

SECTION 3.  Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.1251, as follows:

Sec. 521.1251.  HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER INFORMATION.  (a)  Requires a driver's license issued to the practitioner, on request of a health care practitioner, to include a statement of the type of health care practitioner license the person holds.

(b)  Requires the department to require a person who makes a request under Subsection (a) to provide proof satisfactory to the department of the type of health care practitioner license the person holds.

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 521.142, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (i), as follows:

(i)  Requires the application to provide an opportunity for a health care practitioner to make a certain request and state which type of health care practitioner license the applicant holds.

SECTION 5.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 6.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.