79R6594 MXM-D
By: Branch H.B. No. 2680
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to services provided by health care practitioners to
charities, free health clinics, and medically underserved areas.
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. GENERAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO MULTIPLE
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,
C, D, E, F, and K.
[Sections 112.003-112.050 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER B. SERVICES PROVIDED TO CHARITIES, FREE HEALTH CARE
CLINICS, AND MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS
Sec. 112.051. REDUCED LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RETIRED
HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS PERFORMING CHARITY WORK. (a) Each
licensing entity shall adopt rules providing for reduced fees and
continuing education requirements for a retired health care
practitioner whose only practice is voluntary charity care.
(b) The licensing entity by rule shall define voluntary
charity care.
Sec. 112.052. INDIGENT PATIENT CARE. A licensing entity
may adopt rules regarding the regulation of health care
practitioners who provide free health care to indigent patients at
health clinics.
Sec. 112.053. INSURANCE. A licensing entity may adopt
rules regarding insurance requirements for health care
practitioners who provide voluntary charity care under this
subchapter.
Sec. 112.054. MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS. A licensing
entity may adopt rules to promote the provision of health care in
medically underserved areas.
SECTION 2. 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.