86R4442 BEE-D
 
  By: Thierry H.B. No. 607
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to continuing education in cultural competence and
  implicit bias for certain physicians.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 156.060 to read as follows:
         Sec. 156.060.  CONTINUING EDUCATION IN CULTURAL COMPETENCE
  AND IMPLICIT BIAS. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Cultural competence" means, with respect to
  health care, the ability to address the health issues of
  individuals from diverse backgrounds effectively by applying
  knowledge, empathy, and insight into the views on health that those
  backgrounds present.
               (2)  "Implicit bias" means:
                     (A)  bias in judgment or behavior that results
  from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit attitudes and
  implicit stereotypes, that often operate at a level below conscious
  awareness and without intentional control; or
                     (B)  implicit attitudes and stereotypes that
  result in beliefs or simple associations that a person makes
  between an object and its evaluation that are automatically
  activated by the mere presence, actual or symbolic, of the attitude
  object.
         (b)  A physician licensed under this subtitle who submits an
  application for renewal of a registration permit to practice
  medicine and who practices in the area of general practice,
  pediatrics, obstetrics, or gynecology shall include continuing
  medical education in cultural competence and implicit bias among
  the hours of continuing medical education completed for purposes of
  rules adopted under Section 156.051(a)(2).
         (c)  The board shall adopt rules to establish the content of
  continuing medical education relating to cultural competence and
  implicit bias. The board may adopt other rules to implement this
  section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 31, 2020, the Texas
  Medical Board shall adopt rules required by Section 156.060,
  Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.