BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 4455

86R19665 MAW-F

By: Miller (Campbell)

 

Health & Human Services

 

5/14/2019

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of and access to mental health care at the national level, with particular concern about the rate of mental health conditions among younger people and suicide rates among veterans. H.B. 4455 seeks to address this issue of access by authorizing a Texas health care professional to provide a mental health service through a telemedicine or telehealth service to a patient located outside of Texas, subject to any applicable regulation of the jurisdiction in which the patient is located.

 

H.B. 4455 amends current law relating to the provision of mental health services through a telemedicine medical service or telehealth service.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle A, Title 3, Occupations Code, by adding Chapter 113, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 113. MENTAL HEALTH TELEMEDICINE AND TELEHEALTH SERVICES

 

Sec. 113.001. DEFINITIONS. Provides that the definitions provided by Section 111.001 (Definitions) apply to this chapter.

 

Sec. 113.002. PATIENT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF STATE. Authorizes a health professional, notwithstanding any other law, to provide a mental health service that is within the scope of the professional's license, certification, or authorization through the use of a telemedicine medical service or a telehealth service to a patient who is located outside of this state, subject to any applicable regulation of the jurisdiction in which the patient is located.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.