By: Nichols S.B. No. 2389

(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2009; March 31, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; April 24, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; April 24, 2009, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2389 By: Nichols

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to physician staffing requirements for hospitals.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 241.0261 to read as follows:

Sec. 241.0261. PHYSICIAN STAFFING REQUIREMENTS. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the department may not require a hospital to have more restrictive staffing requirements relating to physicians qualified to provide emergency medical care than are required by federal law.

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, 2009.

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