BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2007
85R640 NC-D	By: Cosper et al. (Buckingham)
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	5/8/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 2007 allows military dental professionals who were stationed in Texas but licensed in another state to obtain a limited volunteer license to help treat underserved civilian populations in Texas. Under current law, active and retired military physicians in good standing and licensed in other states are able to provide charitable care in Texas. By extending this provision to dentists and dental hygienists, this bill enables communities to use an existing resource to provide needed dental care to indigent and uninsured Texans.

Under the bill�s provisions, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) is required to adopt rules for issuing a limited volunteer license for military dentists and dental hygienists who were licensed and in good standing in another state, authorized to treat military personnel or veterans, and met other board requirements. The license would allow volunteer dentists and hygienists to work without compensation at a clinic that primarily treated indigent patients. License holders would be subject to all TSBDE rules and requirements, including those regarding disciplinary actions.

H.B. 2007 amends the Occupations Code to require TSBDE to adopt rules relating to the issuance of a military limited volunteer license.

H.B. 2007 amends current law relating to the licensing and regulation of certain military dentists and dental hygienists who provide voluntary charity dental or dental hygiene care.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners in SECTION 1 (Section 256.1017, Occupations Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 256, Occupations Code, by adding Section 256.1017, as follows:

Sec. 256.1017. MILITARY LIMITED VOLUNTEER LICENSE. (a) Requires the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) to adopt rules relating to the issuance of a military limited volunteer license (volunteer license) under this section.

(b) Authorizes TSBDE to issue a volunteer license to practice dentistry to a volunteer dentist or a license to practice dental hygiene to a dental hygienist who:

(1) is licensed and in good standing, or was licensed and retired in good standing, as a dentist or dental hygienist in another state;

(2) is or was authorized as a dentist or dental hygienist to treat personnel enlisted in a branch of the United States armed forces or veterans; and

(3) meets any other requirement prescribed by TSBDE rule.�

(c) Prohibits TSBDE from issuing a volunteer license to an applicant who:

(1) holds a dental or dental hygienist license that is currently under active investigation, or is or was subject to a disciplinary order or action or to denial by another jurisdiction;

(2) holds a license to prescribe, dispense, administer, supply, or sell a controlled substance that is currently under active investigation, or is or was subject to a disciplinary order or action or to denial by another jurisdiction; or

(3) has been convicted of, is on deferred adjudication community supervision or deferred disposition for, or is under active investigation for the commission of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(d) Authorizes a volunteer licensed dentist or dental hygienist to practice dentistry or dental hygiene only at a clinic that primarily treats indigent patients and prohibits a volunteer licensed dentist or dental hygienist from receiving compensation for dental or dental hygiene services rendered at the clinic.

(e) Provides that a volunteer license holder is subject to TSBDE rules, including rules regarding disciplinary action, license registration and renewal, and continuing education.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.