BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 650
86R7929 KJE-F	By: Huffman et al.
	Higher Education
	3/29/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The last medical school to be established in Texas was done so in 1972, and since then, Texas's population has more than doubled to over 28 million people. The Houston metropolitan area alone has grown by more than four million people in that time.

 

Although the population is growing, physician shortages have become apparent. During the 84th Legislature, physician shortage was deemed such an important issue that legislators passed S.B. 18 which requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to submit a report on physician demand and shortage across the state on a biannual basis. In last year's report, DSHS reported that in Public Health Region 6/5S, where Houston is located, the shortage of primary physicians is projected to grow by 254 percent by the year 2030.

 

According to the United States Health Resource and Service Administration, much of the Houston metropolitan area is considered a "medically underserved area," and much of the same area is a "medical professional shortage area."

 

S.B. 650 seeks to establish the University of Houston College of Medicine, which will alleviate the physician shortage by increasing the total availability of residency positions in the state. Additionally, producing more Houston-based physicians will help ensure that Texas physicians not only stay in Texas, but serve the communities in which they were educated.

 

As proposed, S.B. 650 amends current law relating to the creation of the University of Houston College of Medicine at the University of Houston.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the board of regents of the University of Houston System in SECTION 1 (Section 111.153, Education Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 111, Education Code, by adding Subchapter K, as follows:

 

SUBCHAPTER K. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

 

Sec. 111.151. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board" and "college."

 

Sec. 111.152. THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. Provides that the University of Houston College of Medicine is a college of the University of Houston and is under the management and control of the board of regents of the University of Houston System (board) with degrees offered under the name and authority of the University of Houston.

 

Sec. 111.153. COURSES AND DEGREES. Authorizes the board to prescribe courses leading to customary degrees and to adopt rules for the operation, control, and management of the college as necessary for conducting a college of medicine of the first class.

 

Sec. 111.154. AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS. Authorizes the dean of the college, on behalf of the board, to execute and carry out an affiliation or coordinating agreement with any other entity or institution in the college's region.

 

Sec. 111.155. GIFTS AND GRANTS. Authorizes the board to solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of the college.

 

Sec. 111.156. OTHER FACILITIES. Authorizes the board, in addition to the college's facilities, to enter into agreements under which additional facilities used in the college's teaching and research programs, including libraries, auditoriums, research facilities, and medical education buildings, are authorized be provided by a public or private entity.

 

Sec. 111.157. TEACHING HOSPITAL. Authorizes a teaching hospital considered suitable by the board to be provided by a public or private entity. Prohibits the hospital from being constructed, maintained, or operated with state funds.

 

Sec. 111.158. ACCOUNTABILITY INFORMATION. Requires the college, not later than October 1 of each year, to post on the college's Internet website certain information regarding students enrolled at the college.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 59.01(1) and (3), Education Code, as follows:

 

(1) Adds medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, dentists, veterinarians, and podiatrists appointed to the faculty or professional medical staff employed full‑time or part‑time under certain conditions for student health services by the University of Houston College of Medicine to the definition of "medical staff or students," and makes a conforming change.

 

(3) Adds the board of regents of the University of Houston System to the definition of "board."

 

SECTION 3. �Amends Sections 59.02(a) and (c), Education Code, to make conforming changes.�

 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 59.06, Education Code, to make conforming changes.

 

SECTION 5.� Amends Section 61.003(5), Education Code, to include the University of Houston College of Medicine in the definition of "medical and dental unit."

 

SECTION 6.� Amends Section 61.501(1), Education Code, to include the University of Houston College of Medicine to the definition of "medical school."

 

SECTION 7. Amends Section 63.002(c), Education Code, to include the University of Houston College of Medicine among the health‑related institutions of higher education for the programs that benefit medical research, health education, or treatment programs of which the amount available for distribution from the Permanent Health Fund for Higher Education is authorized to be appropriated.

 

SECTION 8. Requires the University of Houston College of Medicine, not later than October 1, 2020, to� post on the college's Internet website the initial information required under Section 111.158, Education Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 9. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.