85R2377 KKR-D
 
  By: Schwertner S.B. No. 674
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an expedited licensing process for certain physicians
  specializing in psychiatry; authorizing a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 155, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 155.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 155.010.  EXPEDITED LICENSING PROCESS FOR PHYSICIANS
  SPECIALIZING IN PSYCHIATRY. (a) The board by rule shall create an
  expedited licensing process for an applicant who:
               (1)  holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine
  issued by another state;
               (2)  is board certified in psychiatry by the American
  Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board
  of Neurology and Psychiatry; and
               (3)  is not ineligible under Section 155.003(e).
         (b)  The expedited licensing process must include a
  procedure for the board to screen applications under this subtitle
  to determine whether an applicant would be eligible for the
  expedited licensing process under this section.
         (c)  The renewal of a registration permit for a license
  holder issued a license under this section is governed by Chapter
  156.
         (d)  The board may establish a fee for the expedited process.
         (e)  This section expires January 1, 2022.
         SECTION 2.  The Texas Medical Board shall create and
  implement the expedited licensing process under Section 155.010,
  Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,
  2018.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.