79R7952 MXM-D

By:  Alonzo                                                       H.B. No. 1709



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the licensing of health care practitioners from foreign 
jurisdictions.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Chapter 112 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 112.  REDUCED LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN HEALTH 
CARE PRACTITIONERS

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
	Sec. 112.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                           
		(1)  "Health care practitioner" means an individual 
issued a license, certificate, registration, title, permit, or 
other authorization to engage in a health care profession.
		(2)  "Licensing entity" means a department, 
commission, board, office, authority, or other agency of the state 
that regulates activities and persons under this title.
	Sec. 112.002.  APPLICABILITY.  This chapter applies only to 
licensing entities and health care practitioners under Subtitles 
B-K and M.

[Sections 112.003-112.050 reserved for expansion]

SUBCHAPTER B.  HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS FROM FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
	Sec. 112.051.  REDUCED LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE 
PRACTITIONERS FROM FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS.  (a)  Each licensing 
entity shall adopt rules providing for reduced licensing 
requirements for a health care practitioner licensed in good 
standing in a foreign jurisdiction.
	(b)  The rules adopted under this section must allow the 
health care practitioner to be issued a license after taking 
intensive and expedited courses at institutions of higher education 
in this state.  In addition to courses provided by institutions of 
higher education, the rules may require that the health care 
practitioner complete additional continuing education courses 
before being issued a license.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  In this section, "health care practitioner" 
and "licensing entity" have the meanings assigned by Section 
112.001, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
	(b)  Each licensing entity required to adopt rules under 
Section 112.051, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, shall 
analyze the heath care needs of geographical areas of this state 
that lack qualified health care practitioners of the type regulated 
by that licensing entity.  The analysis shall focus on nonurban 
areas.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.