86R4525 BEE-D

By: Thierry H.B. No. 719

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to medical education coursework and training for physicians in cultural competence and implicit bias.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.310 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.310. CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSEWORK. (a) In this section:

(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(2) "Cultural competence" and "implicit bias" have the meanings assigned by Section 153.017, Occupations Code.

(3) "Medical school" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.501.

(b) The coordinating board by rule shall require a medical school to offer coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias approved by the Texas Medical Board under Section 153.017(b), Occupations Code.

(c) A medical school may not award a student a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree unless the student has successfully completed the number of hours of coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias required by coordinating board rule.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 153, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 153.017 to read as follows:

Sec. 153.017. COURSEWORK AND TRAINING 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 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) The board shall approve coursework and training in cultural competence and implicit bias for purposes of Section 156.0011 of this code and Section 51.310(c), Education Code.

(c) Coursework and training approved under Subsection (b) must be:

(1) designed to address medical decisions and treatment relating to a person's race, ethnicity, nationality, language, sex, gender, physical and mental ability, and socioeconomic status; and

(2) developed in consultation with:

(A) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and

(B) the Association of American Medical Colleges or another nationally recognized organization that reviews medical school curricula.

SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 156.0011 to read as follows:

Sec. 156.0011. REQUIRED COURSEWORK OR TRAINING IN CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS; WAIVER. (a) In this section, "cultural competence" and "implicit bias" have the meanings assigned by Section 153.017.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the board may not issue a registration permit to or renew the registration permit of a person unless the person has successfully completed:

(1) coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias as a student in a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree program as required by Section 51.310, Education Code; or

(2) training in cultural competence and implicit bias approved by the board under Section 153.017(b).

(c) A person who satisfies the requirements of Subsection (b) is not required to complete additional coursework or training described by that subsection for the subsequent renewal of the person's registration permit.

(d) The board by rule shall establish the minimum number of hours of training necessary to satisfy Subsection (b)(2). A license holder may complete the training as part of the hours of continuing medical education completed to comply with Section 156.051(a)(2).

(e) The board may waive the requirements of this section for a person who demonstrates in a manner prescribed by the board that the person has successfully completed coursework or training that is substantially equivalent to that approved by the board under Section 153.017(b).

SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Medical Board shall adopt the rules necessary to implement this Act.

SECTION 5. (a) Section 51.310(c), Education Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a student who enrolls in a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree program on or after January 1, 2020.

(b) Section 156.0011(b), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a registration permit issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2020.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.