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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.