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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of medical radiologic technology; |
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providing penalties; imposing fees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 601.002, Occupations Code, is amended by |
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amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivisions (5-a), (10-a), and |
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(11-a) to read as follows: |
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(3) "Department" means the [Texas] Department of State |
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Health Services. |
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(5-a) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
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(10-a) "Radiologist" means a physician specializing |
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in radiology certified by or board-eligible for the American Board |
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of Radiology, the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology, the |
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British Royal College of Radiologists, or the Canadian College of |
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Physicians and Surgeons. |
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(11-a) "Registered radiologist assistant" means an |
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advanced-level medical radiologic technologist, other than a |
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practitioner, who is registered under Chapter 207 as a registered |
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radiologist assistant. |
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SECTION 2. Subsections (a) and (b), Section 601.056, |
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Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The executive commissioner [board] with the assistance |
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of other appropriate state agencies shall identify by rule |
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radiologic procedures, other than radiologic procedures described |
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by Subsection (c), that are dangerous or hazardous and that may be |
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performed only by a practitioner, [or] a medical radiologic |
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technologist certified under this chapter, or a registered |
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radiologist assistant. |
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(b) In adopting rules under Subsection (a), the executive |
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commissioner [board] may consider whether the radiologic procedure |
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will be performed by a registered nurse, [or] a licensed physician |
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assistant, or a registered radiologist assistant. |
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SECTION 3. Subtitle C, Title 3, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 207 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 207. REGISTERED RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 207.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Board" means the Texas Medical Board. |
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(2) "Radiologist" means a physician specializing in |
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radiology certified by the American Board of Radiology, the |
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American Osteopathic Board of Radiology, the British Royal College |
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of Radiologists, or the Canadian College of Physicians and |
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Surgeons. |
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(3) "Registered radiologist assistant" means a person |
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who is registered under this chapter as a registered radiologist |
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assistant and who performs a variety of activities under the |
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personal, direct, or general supervision of a radiologist in the |
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areas of patient care, patient management, clinical imaging, and |
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interventional procedures. |
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SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD |
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Sec. 207.051. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The board shall: |
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(1) establish qualifications for a registered |
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radiologist assistant to practice in this state; |
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(2) establish requirements for an examination for |
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registration to practice as a registered radiologist assistant; |
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(3) establish minimum education and training |
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requirements necessary for registration to practice as a registered |
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radiologist assistant; |
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(4) prescribe the application form for registration to |
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practice as a registered radiologist assistant; and |
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(5) develop an approved program of mandatory |
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continuing education and the manner in which attendance at all |
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approved courses, clinics, forums, lectures, programs, or seminars |
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is monitored and recorded. |
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Sec. 207.052. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. In addition to |
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any fees paid to the board or money appropriated to the board, the |
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board may receive and accept under this chapter a gift, grant, |
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donation, or other item of value from any source, including the |
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United States or a private source. |
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Sec. 207.053. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The registered |
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radiologist assistant advisory committee consists of five members |
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appointed by the president of the board as follows: |
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(1) four registered radiologist assistant members |
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with at least three years of experience as a registered radiologist |
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assistant, two of whom must be engaged in practice in a clinical |
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setting; and |
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(2) one radiologist member licensed in this state who |
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supervises a registered radiologist assistant. |
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(b) Appointments to the advisory committee shall be made |
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without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, |
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or national origin of the appointee. |
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(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), the president of the |
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board may appoint to the advisory committee those persons who: |
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(1) before January 1, 2015, have met the eligibility |
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requirements of Section 207.153 for the three years preceding the |
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date of appointment, regardless of whether the members hold a |
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registration under this chapter; and |
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(2) before January 1, 2018, hold a registration under |
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this chapter and who have met the eligibility requirements of |
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Section 207.153 for the three years preceding the date of |
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appointment, regardless of whether the members have held a |
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registration under this chapter for the three years preceding the |
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date of appointment. |
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(d) Subsection (c) and this subsection expire December 31, |
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2018. |
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SUBCHAPTER C. PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION; COMPLAINT AND |
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INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION |
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Sec. 207.101. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. (a) The board shall |
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develop and implement policies that provide the public with a |
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reasonable opportunity to appear before the board and speak on any |
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issue relating to registered radiologist assistants. |
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(b) The executive director of the board shall prepare and |
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maintain a written plan that describes how a person who does not |
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speak English may be provided reasonable access to the board's |
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programs and services under this chapter. |
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Sec. 207.102. PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION. (a) The board |
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shall prepare information of public interest describing the |
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functions of the board and the procedures by which complaints are |
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filed and resolved under this chapter. |
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(b) The board shall make the information available to the |
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public and appropriate state agencies. |
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Sec. 207.103. COMPLAINTS. (a) The board by rule shall |
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establish methods by which consumers and service recipients are |
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notified of the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the |
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board for the purpose of directing complaints about registered |
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radiologist assistants to the board. |
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(b) The board shall list with its regular telephone number |
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any toll-free telephone number established under other state law |
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that may be called to present a complaint about a registered |
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radiologist assistant. |
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Sec. 207.104. RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The board shall |
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maintain a file on each written complaint filed with the board under |
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this chapter. The file must include: |
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(1) the name of the person who filed the complaint; |
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(2) the date the complaint is received by the board; |
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(3) the subject matter of the complaint; |
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(4) the name of each person contacted in relation to |
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the complaint; |
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(5) a summary of the results of the review or |
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investigation of the complaint; and |
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(6) an explanation of the reason the file was closed, |
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if the board closed the file without taking action other than to |
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investigate the complaint. |
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(b) The board shall provide to the person filing the |
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complaint and to each person who is a subject of the complaint a |
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copy of the board's policies and procedures relating to complaint |
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investigation and resolution. A person who reports a complaint by |
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phone shall be given information on how to file a written complaint. |
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(c) The board, at least quarterly and until final |
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disposition of the complaint, shall notify the person filing the |
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complaint and each person who is a subject of the complaint of the |
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status of the investigation unless the notice would jeopardize an |
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undercover investigation. |
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Sec. 207.105. REGISTRATION HOLDER ACCESS TO COMPLAINT |
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INFORMATION. (a) The board shall provide a registration holder |
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who is the subject of a formal complaint filed under this chapter |
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with access to all information in its possession that the board |
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intends to offer into evidence in presenting its case in chief at |
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the contested hearing on the complaint, subject to any other |
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privilege or restriction established by rule, statute, or legal |
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precedent. The board shall provide the information not later than |
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the 45th day after receipt of a written request from the |
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registration holder or the registration holder's counsel, unless |
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good cause is shown for delay. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the board is not |
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required to provide: |
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(1) board investigative reports; |
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(2) investigative memoranda; |
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(3) the identity of a nontestifying complainant; |
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(4) attorney-client communications; |
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(5) attorney work product; or |
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(6) other material covered by a privilege recognized |
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by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure or the Texas Rules of |
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Evidence. |
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(c) The provision of information does not constitute a |
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waiver of privilege or confidentiality under this chapter or other |
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law. |
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Sec. 207.106. HEALTH CARE ENTITY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. |
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On the written request of a health care entity, the board shall |
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provide to the entity: |
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(1) information about a complaint filed against a |
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registration holder that was resolved after investigation by: |
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(A) a disciplinary order of the board; or |
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(B) an agreed settlement; and |
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(2) the basis of and current status of any complaint |
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under active investigation that has been referred by the executive |
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director of the board or the director's designee for legal action. |
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Sec. 207.107. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INVESTIGATIVE |
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INFORMATION. A complaint, adverse report, investigation file, or |
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other report, the identity of and reports made by a physician or |
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registered radiologist assistant performing or supervising |
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compliance monitoring for the board, or other investigative |
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information in the possession of or received or gathered by the |
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board, a board employee, or an agent relating to a registration |
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holder, a registration application, or a criminal investigation or |
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proceeding is privileged and confidential and is not subject to |
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discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for release |
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to any person other than the board or a board employee or agent |
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involved in registration holder discipline. |
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Sec. 207.108. PERMITTED DISCLOSURE OF INVESTIGATIVE |
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INFORMATION. (a) Investigative information in the possession of |
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the board, a board employee, or an agent that relates to the |
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discipline of a registration holder may be disclosed to: |
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(1) a licensing authority in another state or a |
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territory or country in which the registration holder is licensed |
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or registered or has applied for a license or registration; or |
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(2) a peer review committee reviewing: |
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(A) an application for privileges; or |
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(B) the qualifications of the registration |
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holder with respect to retaining privileges. |
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(b) If the investigative information in the possession of |
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the board or a board employee or agent indicates a crime may have |
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been committed, the board shall report the information to the |
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proper law enforcement agency. The board shall cooperate with and |
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assist all law enforcement agencies conducting criminal |
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investigations of a registration holder by providing information |
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relevant to the investigation. Confidential information disclosed |
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by the board to a law enforcement agency remains confidential and |
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may not be disclosed by the law enforcement agency except as |
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necessary to further the investigation. |
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Sec. 207.109. IMMUNITY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. (a) A |
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medical peer review committee in this state, a quality assurance |
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committee in this state, a registered radiologist assistant, a |
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registered radiologist assistant student, or a physician |
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practicing medicine in this state shall report relevant information |
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to the board related to the acts of a registered radiologist |
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assistant in this state if, in that person's opinion, a registered |
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radiologist assistant poses a continuing threat to the public |
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welfare through the person's practice as a registered radiologist |
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assistant. The duty to report under this section may not be |
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nullified through contract. |
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(b) A person who, without malice, furnishes records, |
|
information, or assistance to the board under this section is |
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immune from any civil liability arising from that action in a suit |
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against the person brought by or on behalf of a registered |
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radiologist assistant who is reported under this section. |
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(c) Sections 160.002, 160.003, 160.006, 160.007, 160.009, |
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160.013, and 160.014 apply to medical peer review regarding a |
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registered radiologist assistant. |
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SUBCHAPTER D. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS |
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Sec. 207.151. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (a) A person may not |
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practice as a registered radiologist assistant unless the person is |
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registered under this chapter. |
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(b) Unless the person holds a registration under this |
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chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name: |
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(1) the title "Registered Radiologist Assistant"; or |
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(2) any other designation that would imply that the |
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person is a registered radiologist assistant. |
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Sec. 207.152. REGISTRATION APPLICATION. An applicant for |
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registration must: |
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(1) file a written application with the board on a form |
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prescribed by the board; and |
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(2) pay the application fee set by the board. |
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Sec. 207.153. REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible for |
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a registration, a person must: |
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(1) be a medical radiologic technologist certified |
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under Chapter 601; |
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(2) have a baccalaureate degree, postbaccalaureate |
|
certificate, or graduate degree from an advanced academic program |
|
encompassing a nationally recognized radiologist assistant |
|
curriculum that incorporates a radiologist-directed clinical |
|
preceptorship; |
|
(3) be certified as a registered radiologist assistant |
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by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or be |
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certified as a radiology practitioner assistant by the |
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Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants; and |
|
(4) be credentialed to provide radiology services |
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under the supervision of a radiologist. |
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Sec. 207.1535. ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANT HOLDING |
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OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE. (a) Notwithstanding Section 207.153, a |
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person is eligible for a registration if the person: |
|
(1) was licensed or otherwise registered as a |
|
radiologist assistant in another state that has requirements at |
|
least as stringent as the requirements of this chapter; |
|
(2) applies for a registration within a period set by |
|
the board; and |
|
(3) meets other requirements as determined by the |
|
board. |
|
(b) A registration issued under this section must be renewed |
|
under Section 207.156. |
|
(c) A registration issued under this section expires on the |
|
first anniversary of the date the registration is issued and may not |
|
be renewed except as provided by Subsection (b). |
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Sec. 207.1536. ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSITIONAL REGISTRATION. |
|
(a) Notwithstanding Section 207.153, a person is eligible for a |
|
registration if the person: |
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(1) applies for the registration before September 1, |
|
2017; and |
|
(2) meets the requirements of Section 207.153 other |
|
than Section 207.153(2). |
|
(b) A registration issued under the eligibility |
|
requirements of this section must be renewed under Section 207.156. |
|
(c) A registration issued under the eligibility |
|
requirements of this section expires on September 1, 2018, and may |
|
not be renewed except as provided by Subsection (d). |
|
(d) A person who meets the eligibility requirements of |
|
Section 207.153 on September 1, 2018, may renew the person's |
|
registration. A person who does not meet the eligibility |
|
requirements of Section 207.153 on that date may not renew the |
|
person's registration and may not practice as a registered |
|
radiologist assistant after that date unless the person applies for |
|
and obtains a new registration. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2020. |
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Sec. 207.154. FEES. (a) The board shall set and collect |
|
fees in amounts that are reasonable and necessary to cover the costs |
|
of administering and enforcing this chapter without the use of any |
|
other funds generated by the board. |
|
(b) Fees collected by the board under this chapter shall be |
|
deposited by the board in the state treasury to the credit of an |
|
account in the general revenue fund and may be spent to cover the |
|
costs of administering and enforcing this chapter. At the end of |
|
each fiscal biennium, the comptroller shall transfer any surplus |
|
money remaining in the account to the general revenue fund. |
|
(c) All money paid to the board under this chapter is |
|
subject to Subchapter F, Chapter 404, Government Code. |
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Sec. 207.155. ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION. The |
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board shall issue a registered radiologist assistant registration |
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in this state to a person who meets the requirements of this chapter |
|
and the rules adopted under this chapter. |
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Sec. 207.156. REGISTRATION RENEWAL. (a) The board by rule |
|
shall provide for the annual renewal of a registered radiologist |
|
assistant registration. |
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(b) The board by rule may adopt a system under which |
|
registrations expire on various dates during the year. For the year |
|
in which the registration expiration date is changed, registration |
|
fees shall be prorated on a monthly basis so that each registration |
|
holder pays only that portion of the registration fee that is |
|
allocable to the number of months during which the registration is |
|
valid. On renewal of the registration on the new expiration date, |
|
the total registration renewal fee is payable. |
|
Sec. 207.157. NOTICE OF REGISTRATION RENEWAL. At least 30 |
|
days before the expiration of a person's registration, the board |
|
shall send written notice of the impending registration expiration |
|
to the person at the registration holder's last known address |
|
according to the records of the board. |
|
Sec. 207.158. PROCEDURE FOR RENEWAL. (a) A person who is |
|
otherwise eligible to renew a registration may renew an unexpired |
|
registration by paying the required renewal fee to the board before |
|
the expiration date of the registration. A person whose |
|
registration has expired may not engage in activities that require |
|
a registration until the registration has been renewed under this |
|
section. |
|
(b) If the person's registration has been expired for 90 |
|
days or less, the person may renew the registration by paying to the |
|
board one and one-half times the required renewal fee. |
|
(c) If the person's registration has been expired for longer |
|
than 90 days but less than one year, the person may renew the |
|
registration by paying to the board two times the required renewal |
|
fee. |
|
(d) If the person's registration has been expired for one |
|
year or longer, the person may not renew the registration. The |
|
person may obtain a new registration by complying with the |
|
requirements and procedures for obtaining an original |
|
registration. |
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Sec. 207.159. REGISTRATION HOLDER INFORMATION. (a) Each |
|
registration holder shall file with the board: |
|
(1) the registration holder's mailing address; |
|
(2) the address of the registration holder's |
|
residence; |
|
(3) the mailing address of each of the registration |
|
holder's offices; and |
|
(4) the address for the location of each of the |
|
registration holder's offices if that address is different from the |
|
office's mailing address. |
|
(b) A registration holder shall: |
|
(1) notify the board of a change of the registration |
|
holder's residence or business address; and |
|
(2) provide the board with the registration holder's |
|
new address not later than the 30th day after the date the address |
|
change occurs. |
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SUBCHAPTER E. SCOPE OF PRACTICE |
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Sec. 207.201. SCOPE OF PRACTICE. (a) The board shall |
|
adopt rules to determine the scope of practice of a registered |
|
radiologist assistant. The board shall consider guidelines adopted |
|
by the American College of Radiology, the American Society of |
|
Radiologic Technologists, and the American Registry of Radiologic |
|
Technologists in adopting rules under this subsection. |
|
(b) The practice of a registered radiologist assistant may |
|
be performed in any place authorized by a delegating radiologist, |
|
including a clinic, hospital, health care center, or other |
|
institutional setting. |
|
Sec. 207.202. ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS AND |
|
STANDARDS. A registered radiologist assistant and the registered |
|
radiologist assistant's delegating radiologist shall ensure that: |
|
(1) the registered radiologist assistant's scope of |
|
function is identified; |
|
(2) the delegation of medical tasks is appropriate to |
|
the registered radiologist assistant's level of competence; |
|
(3) the relationship between the registered |
|
radiologist assistant and the delegating radiologist and the access |
|
of the registered radiologist assistant to the delegating |
|
radiologist are defined; and |
|
(4) a process is established for evaluating the |
|
registered radiologist assistant's performance. |
|
Sec. 207.203. SUPERVISION OF REGISTERED RADIOLOGIST |
|
ASSISTANTS. (a) In this section: |
|
(1) "Direct supervision" means supervision provided |
|
by a radiologist who is present in the same area or an area adjacent |
|
to the area where a registered radiologist assistant performs a |
|
procedure and who is immediately available to provide assistance |
|
and direction during the performance of the procedure. |
|
(2) "General supervision" means supervision provided |
|
by a radiologist who provides overall direction and control of a |
|
registered radiologist assistant's performance of a procedure but |
|
who is not required to be present during the performance of the |
|
procedure. |
|
(3) "Personal supervision" means supervision provided |
|
by a radiologist who is present in the room where a registered |
|
radiologist assistant performs a procedure. |
|
(b) The board by rule shall establish guidelines for general |
|
supervision, direct supervision, and personal supervision of a |
|
registered radiologist assistant. |
|
(c) A supervising radiologist shall determine whether to |
|
provide general supervision, direct supervision, or personal |
|
supervision of a registered radiologist assistant performing a |
|
procedure based on the registered radiologist assistant's |
|
technical ability, the procedure, the patient's history and |
|
clinical presentation, and other relevant factors. |
|
Sec. 207.204. PROHIBITED PRACTICES. A registered |
|
radiologist assistant may not: |
|
(1) interpret an image; |
|
(2) make a diagnosis; or |
|
(3) prescribe a medication or therapy. |
|
SUBCHAPTER F. DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS |
|
Sec. 207.251. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS BY THE BOARD. (a) On a |
|
determination that an applicant or registration holder committed an |
|
act described by Section 207.252, 207.253, or 207.254, the board by |
|
order may take any of the following actions: |
|
(1) deny the person's registration application or |
|
revoke the person's registration; |
|
(2) require the person to participate in a program of |
|
education or counseling prescribed by the board; |
|
(3) stay enforcement of an order and place the person |
|
on probation; |
|
(4) require the person to complete additional |
|
training; |
|
(5) suspend, limit, or restrict the person's |
|
registration, including: |
|
(A) limiting the practice of the person to, or |
|
excluding from the person's practice, one or more specified |
|
activities of radiologist assisting; or |
|
(B) stipulating periodic board review; |
|
(6) assess an administrative penalty against the |
|
person as provided by Section 207.301; |
|
(7) order the person to perform public service; or |
|
(8) administer a public reprimand. |
|
(b) If the board stays enforcement of an order and places a |
|
person on probation, the board retains the right to vacate the |
|
probationary stay and enforce the original order for noncompliance |
|
with the terms of probation or impose any other remedial measure or |
|
sanction authorized by this section. |
|
(c) The board may restore or reissue a registration or |
|
remove any disciplinary or corrective measure that the board has |
|
imposed. |
|
Sec. 207.252. CONDUCT RELATED TO FRAUD OR |
|
MISREPRESENTATION. The board may take action under Section 207.251 |
|
against an applicant or registration holder who: |
|
(1) fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to |
|
obtain a registration; |
|
(2) fraudulently or deceptively uses a registration; |
|
(3) falsely represents that the person is a |
|
radiologist; |
|
(4) acts in an unprofessional or dishonorable manner |
|
that is likely to deceive, defraud, or injure the public; |
|
(5) fraudulently alters any registered radiologist |
|
assistant registration, certificate, or diploma; |
|
(6) uses any registered radiologist assistant |
|
registration, certificate, or diploma that has been fraudulently |
|
purchased, issued, or counterfeited or that has been materially |
|
altered; |
|
(7) directly or indirectly aids or abets the practice |
|
as a registered radiologist assistant by any person not registered |
|
by the board to practice as a registered radiologist assistant; or |
|
(8) unlawfully advertises in a false, misleading, or |
|
deceptive manner as defined by Section 101.201. |
|
Sec. 207.253. CONDUCT RELATED TO VIOLATION OF LAW. The |
|
board may take action under Section 207.251 against an applicant or |
|
registration holder who: |
|
(1) violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this |
|
chapter; |
|
(2) is convicted of a felony, placed on deferred |
|
adjudication, or placed in a pretrial diversion program; or |
|
(3) violates state law if the violation is connected |
|
with practice as a registered radiologist assistant. |
|
Sec. 207.254. CONDUCT INDICATING LACK OF FITNESS. (a) The |
|
board may take action under Section 207.251 against an applicant or |
|
registration holder who: |
|
(1) habitually uses drugs or intoxicating liquors to |
|
the extent that, in the board's opinion, the person cannot safely |
|
perform as a registered radiologist assistant; |
|
(2) has been adjudicated as mentally incompetent; |
|
(3) has a mental or physical condition that renders |
|
the person unable to safely perform as a registered radiologist |
|
assistant; |
|
(4) has committed an act of moral turpitude; |
|
(5) has failed to practice as a registered radiologist |
|
assistant in an acceptable manner consistent with public health and |
|
welfare; |
|
(6) has had the person's registration or other |
|
authorization to practice as a registered radiologist assistant |
|
suspended, revoked, or restricted; |
|
(7) has had other disciplinary action taken by another |
|
state or by the uniformed services of the United States regarding |
|
practice as a registered radiologist assistant; |
|
(8) is removed or suspended from, or has disciplinary |
|
action taken by the person's peers in, any professional association |
|
or society or is being disciplined by a licensed hospital or medical |
|
staff of a hospital, including removal, suspension, limitation of |
|
privileges, or other disciplinary action, if that action, in the |
|
opinion of the board, was based on unprofessional conduct or |
|
professional incompetence that was likely to harm the public; |
|
(9) has repeated or recurring meritorious health care |
|
liability claims that, in the board's opinion, are evidence of |
|
professional incompetence likely to harm the public; or |
|
(10) sexually abuses or exploits another person during |
|
the registration holder's practice as a registered radiologist |
|
assistant. |
|
(b) For the purpose of Subsection (a)(7), a certified copy |
|
of the record of the state or uniformed services of the United |
|
States taking the action constitutes conclusive evidence of that |
|
action. |
|
(c) An action described by Subsection (a)(8) does not |
|
constitute state action on the part of the association, society, or |
|
hospital medical staff. |
|
Sec. 207.255. SUBPOENA. (a) The executive director of the |
|
board, the director's designee, or the secretary-treasurer of the |
|
board may issue a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum: |
|
(1) to conduct an investigation or a contested case |
|
proceeding related to: |
|
(A) alleged misconduct by a registered |
|
radiologist assistant; |
|
(B) an alleged violation of this chapter or |
|
another law related to the practice of a registered radiologist |
|
assistant; or |
|
(C) the provision of health care under this |
|
chapter; or |
|
(2) for purposes of determining whether to issue, |
|
deny, suspend, restrict, or revoke a registration under this |
|
chapter. |
|
(b) Failure to timely comply with a subpoena issued under |
|
this section is a ground for: |
|
(1) disciplinary action by the board or another |
|
licensing or regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the person |
|
subject to the subpoena; and |
|
(2) denial of a registration application. |
|
Sec. 207.256. PROTECTION OF PATIENT IDENTITY. In a |
|
disciplinary investigation or proceeding conducted under this |
|
chapter, the board shall protect the identity of each patient whose |
|
medical records are examined and used in a public proceeding unless |
|
the patient: |
|
(1) testifies in the public proceeding; or |
|
(2) submits a written release in regard to the |
|
patient's records or identity. |
|
Sec. 207.257. RULES FOR DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. Rules of |
|
practice adopted under this chapter by the board under Section |
|
2001.004, Government Code, applicable to the proceedings for a |
|
disciplinary action may not conflict with rules adopted by the |
|
State Office of Administrative Hearings. |
|
Sec. 207.258. REQUIRED SUSPENSION OF INCARCERATED |
|
REGISTERED RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANT. Regardless of the offense, the |
|
board shall suspend the registration of a registered radiologist |
|
assistant serving a prison term in a state or federal penitentiary |
|
during the term of the incarceration. |
|
Sec. 207.259. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION. (a) The president of |
|
the board, with board approval, shall appoint a three-member |
|
disciplinary panel consisting of board members to determine whether |
|
a registered radiologist assistant's registration should be |
|
temporarily suspended. |
|
(b) If the disciplinary panel determines from the evidence |
|
or information presented to the panel that a person registered to |
|
practice as a registered radiologist assistant would, by the |
|
person's continuation in practice, constitute a continuing threat |
|
to the public welfare, the disciplinary panel shall temporarily |
|
suspend the registration of that person. |
|
(c) A registration may be suspended under this section |
|
without notice or hearing on the complaint if: |
|
(1) institution of proceedings for a hearing before |
|
the board is initiated simultaneously with the temporary |
|
suspension; and |
|
(2) a hearing is held under Chapter 2001, Government |
|
Code, and this chapter as soon as possible. |
|
(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, the |
|
disciplinary panel may hold a meeting by telephone conference call |
|
if immediate action is required and convening the disciplinary |
|
panel at one location is inconvenient for any member of the panel. |
|
SUBCHAPTER G. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY |
|
Sec. 207.301. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. (a) The board by |
|
order may impose an administrative penalty against a person |
|
registered under this chapter who violates this chapter or a rule or |
|
order adopted under this chapter. |
|
(b) The penalty may be in an amount not to exceed $5,000. |
|
Each day a violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for |
|
purposes of imposing a penalty. |
|
(c) The board shall base the amount of the penalty on: |
|
(1) the severity of patient harm; |
|
(2) the severity of economic harm to any person; |
|
(3) the severity of any environmental harm; |
|
(4) the increased potential for harm to the public; |
|
(5) any attempted concealment of misconduct; |
|
(6) any premeditated or intentional misconduct; |
|
(7) the motive for the violation; |
|
(8) any prior misconduct of a similar or related |
|
nature; |
|
(9) the registration holder's disciplinary history; |
|
(10) any prior written warnings or written |
|
admonishments from any government agency or official regarding |
|
statutes or rules relating to the misconduct; |
|
(11) whether the violation is of a board order; |
|
(12) the person's failure to implement remedial |
|
measures to correct or mitigate harm from the misconduct; |
|
(13) the person's lack of rehabilitative potential or |
|
likelihood of future misconduct of a similar nature; |
|
(14) any relevant circumstances increasing the |
|
seriousness of the misconduct; and |
|
(15) any other matter that justice may require. |
|
(d) The board by rule shall prescribe the procedures by |
|
which it may impose an administrative penalty. A proceeding under |
|
this section is subject to Chapter 2001, Government Code. |
|
(e) If the board by order determines that a violation has |
|
occurred and imposes an administrative penalty, the board shall |
|
give notice to the person of the order. The notice must include a |
|
statement of the person's right to judicial review of the order. |
|
SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2014, the Texas Medical |
|
Board shall adopt the rules and procedures necessary to administer |
|
Chapter 207, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
|
SECTION 5. Notwithstanding Chapter 207, Occupations Code, |
|
as added by this Act, a registered radiologist assistant is not |
|
required to hold a registration under that chapter to practice as a |
|
registered radiologist assistant in this state before September 1, |
|
2014. |
|
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |