BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1683

By: Shaheen

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the registration for a certificate as an orthotic technician or prosthetic technician is voluntary and that the number of such certificate holders is low. Additionally, it is suggested that since the care they provide is not direct patient care, repealing registration is not likely to put patients at risk. H.B. 1683 seeks to address this issue by repealing the authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to issue a registered orthotic technician certificate or a registered prosthetic technician certificate to an applicant who meets certain requirements.

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. 1683 repeals the Occupations Code provision authorizing the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to issue a registered orthotic technician or registered prosthetic technician certificate to an applicant who meets certain requirements. The bill establishes that a certificate issued under a repealed provision expires on the bill's effective date and requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to repeal all rules regarding the regulation of orthotic and prosthetic technicians adopted under the Orthotics and Prosthetics Act. The bill expressly does not affect the validity of a proceeding pending before a court or other governmental entity on the bill's effective date.     

H.B. 1683 repeals the following provisions of the Occupations Code:

·       Sections 605.002(19), (20), and (21)

·       Section 605.259

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.