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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain qualified alien physicians practicing medicine |
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in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 12.0127, Health and |
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Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. Sections |
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1182 and 1184 [Section 1182(e), as amended, under exceptions
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provided by 8 U.S.C. Section 1184(l), as amended], may request |
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waiver of the foreign country residence requirement for a qualified |
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alien physician who agrees to practice medicine in accordance with |
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the federal waiver requirements, provided priority is given to an |
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area with [a medically underserved area or health professional
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shortage area, as designated by the United States Department of
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Health and Human Services, that has] a current shortage of |
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physicians. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |