BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 968

By: Zaffirini

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that in 2017, podiatrist licensing was moved from the Department of State Health Services to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which caused some regulations to become outdated and not aligned with general practices. The bill sponsor has also informed the committee that the only "temporary" license for podiatry is the "temporary residency license," required for persons enrolled in an accredited residency program, and that the use of the term "temporary license" in statutes and regulations can lead to confusion, as these licenses should be more accurately known as residency licenses. S.B. 968 seeks to reduce confusion and clarify podiatry licensure requirements during residency by revising and repealing provisions relating to the licensing and regulation of the practice of podiatry.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 968 amends the Occupations Code to replace the authorization for the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) by rule to adopt a procedure for the issuance of a temporary podiatrist license to an applicant with an authorization for TCLR by rule to adopt a procedure for the issuance of a residency podiatrist license to an applicant. Accordingly, the bill replaces the requirement for such rules to establish the criteria for issuance of a temporary license and a maximum period during which that license is valid with a requirement for such rules to establish the criteria for issuance of a residency license and a maximum period during which that license is valid. The bill repeals provisions establishing training program requirements for members of the podiatric medical examiners advisory board and providing for the issuance of a provisional license to practice podiatry.

S.B. 968 expressly does not affect the validity of an applicable license issued before the bill's effective date. A license issued before the bill's effective date that is in effect on that date expires according to the term provided on the date of issuance, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

S.B. 968 repeals the following provisions of the Occupations Code:

· Section 202.061; and

· Section 202.260.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.