BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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By: Huffman |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
C.S.S.B. 141 seeks to amend Sections 605.252 (License Eligibility) and 605.258 (Student Registration Certificate) of the Texas Occupations Code to bring them into compliance with the current national standards for the education of orthotists and prosthetists. Current language does not include a graduate degree as a requirement for licensure, which is a problem because the national education standard for certification has been raised to a master's degree. Also, under present law, dual licensure applicants have to complete 1,900 hours of clinical residency training in each discipline.
C.S.S.B. 141 requires that applicants complete a professional clinical residency that meets the requirements established by rule by the Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics (board), which would allow for the possibility of using the 18-month combined residency training program now authorized by national standards. Additionally, under current law, students cannot obtain a student license from the board to fulfill their clinical residency training requirements until after they have obtained a degree. C.S.S.B. 141 allows graduate students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program to participate in a clinical residency program while still in school as long as the program certifies in writing that the student has successfully completed his or her academic prerequisites.
C.S.S.B. 141 amends current law relating to the requirements for issuance of a license to practice orthotics and prosthetics.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics in SECTION 1 (Section 605.252, Occupations Code) and SECTION 4 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 605.252(b) and (c), Occupations Code, as follows:
(b) Adds that the requirements for a license established by Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics (board) rule include the requirement that the applicant hold a bachelor's or graduate degree in orthotics and prosthetics from certain programs.
(c) Requires the applicant, to meet the clinical residency requirements for a license, to complete a professional clinical residency that meets the requirements established by board rule and is conducted under the direct supervision of a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or a licensed prosthetist orthotist in the discipline for which licensure is sought, rather than complete at least 1,900 hours of professional clinical residency under the direct supervision of a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or a licensed prosthetist orthotist in the discipline for which licensure is sought. Requires that the clinical residency requirements adopted by the board be equivalent to or exceed the standards set by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 605.258(a), Occupations Code, as follows:
(a) Authorizes the board to issue a student registration certificate to an individual who is working toward fulfilling the requirements for a license as an orthotist, prosthetist, or prosthetist orthotist and:
(1) Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes; or
(2) is a student who is currently enrolled in a graduate program in this state in orthotics and prosthetics that is recognized and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and incorporates a professional clinical residency that meets the requirements of rules adopted under Section 605.252(c) and submits to the board a written certification from the graduate program in which the student is enrolled that the student has successfully completed the academic prerequisites to enter a professional clinical residency.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2014.
SECTION 4. Requires the board to adopt rules to implement the changes in law made by this Act not later than December 1, 2013.
SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.