88R5788 BEE-D

By: Thierry H.B. No. 1165

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to medical education coursework 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 IN CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Cultural competence" means, with respect to health care, the ability to effectively address the health issues of individuals from diverse backgrounds 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 by rule shall approve coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias for purposes of Section 51.310, Education Code.

(c) Coursework 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. Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Medical Board shall adopt the rules necessary to implement this Act.

SECTION 4. 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, 2024.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.