82R1825 NC-F

By: Coleman H.B. No. 1569

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of a dental hygienist to provide services in certain facilities and schools.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 262.1515(a) and (c), Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A licensed dentist may delegate a service, task, or procedure, pursuant to this section, to a dental hygienist, without complying with Section 262.151(a)(2) if:

(1) the dental hygienist has at least two years' experience in the practice of dental hygiene; and

(2) the service, task, or procedure is performed in one of the following locations:

(A) a nursing facility as defined in Section 242.301, Health and Safety Code;

(B) a school-based health center established under Subchapter B, Chapter 38, Education Code; [or]

(C) a community health center as defined by Section 136.002, Human Resources Code; or

(D) a public or private school or preschool, including a facility in which a government-funded early child-care and education program is provided.

(c) A dental hygienist may only perform delegated tasks or procedures with respect to a patient for 12 [six] months unless the patient has been examined by a dentist in compliance with Section 262.151(a)(2).

SECTION 2. Section 262.152, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 262.152. PERFORMANCE OF DELEGATED DUTIES. Except as provided by Section 262.1515, a dental hygienist shall practice dental hygiene:

(1) in the dental office of a supervising dentist licensed by the board; or

(2) in an alternate setting, including a nursing home, the patient's home, a school, a preschool, a hospital, a state institution, a public health clinic, or another institution, under the supervision of a supervising dentist.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.