By: Schwertner, Hinojosa S.B. No. 674

(In the Senate - Filed January 30, 2017; February 15, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; March 14, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; March 14, 2017, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 674 By: Schwertner

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 requirements for renewal of a registration permit for a license holder issued a license under this section may not be more stringent than the requirements for a license holder issued a license on a non-expedited basis.

(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.

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