BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1325

By: Coleman

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The University of Houston College of Medicine and the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine are currently not included as participants in the Joint Admission Medical Program, which provides assistance to highly qualified students pursuing a medical education who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. H.B. 1325 seeks to resolve this issue by including both of those medical schools as program participants.

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

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1325 amends the Education Code to include the medical school at the University of Houston and the college of osteopathic medicine at Sam Houston State University among the participating medical schools in the Joint Admission Medical Program. The bill requires both of those medical schools to do the following:

· enter into the requisite agreement with the Joint Admission Medical Program Council and select an appropriate faculty member to represent the respective medical school on the council; and

· provide internships and mentoring under the program as appropriate beginning not later than the 2022-2023 academic year.

The schools are not required to admit participating students under the program before the 2023‑2024 academic year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.