By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 39 

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continuing education in forensic evidence collection for certain physicians and nurses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 156.057 to read as follows: Sec. 156.057. CONTINUING EDUCATION IN FORENSIC EVIDENCE COLLECTION. (a) A physician licensed under this subtitle who submits an application for renewal of a license to practice medicine, whose practice includes treating patients in an emergency room setting, and who is required under board rules to comply with this section shall complete at least two hours of continuing medical education relating to forensic evidence collection not later than: (1) September 1, 2008; or (2) the second anniversary of the initial issuance of a license under this chapter to the license holder. (b) The board shall adopt rules to identify the physicians who are required to complete continuing medical education under Subsection (a) and to establish the content of that continuing medical education. The board may adopt other rules to implement this section. SECTION 2. Subchapter G, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 301.306 to read as follows: Sec. 301.306. FORENSIC EVIDENCE COLLECTION COMPONENT IN CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a) As part of continuing education requirements under Section 301.303, a license holder who is employed to work in an emergency room setting and who is required under board rules to comply with this section shall complete at least two hours of continuing education relating to forensic evidence collection not later than: (1) September 1, 2008; or (2) the second anniversary of the initial issuance of a license under this chapter to the license holder. (b) The continuing education required under Subsection (a) must be part of a program approved under Section 301.303(c). (c) The board shall adopt rules to identify the license holders who are required to complete continuing education under Subsection (a) and to establish the content of that continuing education. The board may adopt other rules to implement this section, including rules under Section 301.303(c) for the approval of education programs and providers. SECTION 3. Not later than June 1, 2006, the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners shall adopt the rules required by Section 156.057, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2006, the Board of Nurse Examiners shall adopt the rules required by Section 301.306, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.