BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3371

By: King, Susan

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Though dental labs are regulated by the federal government, Texas, unlike many other states, requires dental labs to obtain licensure from a state agency. Those parties subject to the licensure process have claimed that this requirement gives an unfair advantage to out-of-state labs that are not subject to the additional inspection and associated fees. H.B. 3371 seeks to exempt dental labs in Texas from a requirement to obtain a device distributor or manufacturer license from the Department of State Health Services.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3371 amends the Health and Safety Code to exempt a person who holds a dental laboratory registration certificate and engages only in conduct within the scope of that registration from the requirement to hold a device distributor or manufacturer license under the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.