BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2867

By: Metcalf

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that Sam Houston State University has received approval to offer the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine and that the mission of its proposed college of osteopathic medicine to improve access to medical education for economically disadvantaged students aligns with the purposes of the joint admission medical program. H.B. 2867 seeks to advance these objectives by authorizing the establishment of the college and codifying its existence with regard to associated statutes, including certain funding provisions and participation in the joint program.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the board of regents of the Texas State University System in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2867 amends the Education Code to establish the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a college of Sam Houston State University under the management and control of the board of regents of the Texas State University System with degrees offered under the name and authority of Sam Houston State University. The bill authorizes the provost of the university, on behalf of the board, to execute and carry out an affiliation or coordinating agreement with any other entity or institution. The bill authorizes the board to take the following actions:

· prescribe courses leading to customary degrees;

· adopt rules for the operation, control, and management of the college as necessary for conducting a college of osteopathic medicine of the first class;

· solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of the college; and

· enter into agreements under which facilities that are used in the college's teaching and research programs and that are additional to the college's facilities may be provided by a public or private entity.

H.B. 2867 establishes that a teaching hospital considered suitable by the board may be provided by a public or private entity and prohibits the construction, maintenance, or operation of such a hospital with state funds. The bill establishes that the university is not entitled to receive any formula funding for the college.

H.B. 2867 classifies the college as a medical and dental unit for purposes of the Higher Education Coordinating Act of 1965. The bill includes the college among the health-related institutions of higher education eligible for appropriations from the permanent health fund for higher education, beginning with allocations for the state fiscal year that begins September 1, 2019. The bill includes the college among the institutions to which statutory provisions relating to medical malpractice coverage for certain institutions and relating to certain state-funded residency programs apply.

H.B. 2867 includes the college as a participating medical school for purposes of the joint admission medical program and requires the college to enter into the required agreement with the joint admission medical program council, select an appropriate faculty member to represent the college on the council, and provide internships and mentoring under the joint admission medical program not later than the 2022-2023 academic year to admit participating students to the college under the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.