BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 603

By: Zedler

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that current state law does not provide an avenue with which a committee of the legislature having primary jurisdiction over a licensing board is provided a copy of complaints made against that board or its employees. It has been suggested that provision of these complaints will allow a transparent process whereby a legislative committee can better oversee and review the affected board. H.B. 603 seeks to establish such a process by requiring the Texas Medical Board to provide a copy of all complaints made against the board or its employees to the House Committee on Public Health as well as the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 603 amends the Occupations Code to require the Texas Medical Board (TMB) to submit to each standing committee of the legislature having primary jurisdiction over the TMB a copy of any complaint submitted and any related information provided to the TMB by a person holding a license, permit, or certificate issued under the Medical Practice Act regarding the TMB or an employee of the TMB, including a complaint regarding the manner in which the TMB has conducted an investigation of the license holder, not later than the 30th day after the date the board receives the complaint or information.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.