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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to continuing education requirements for certain |
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physicians regarding adoption. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 156.061 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 156.061. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ON |
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TEXAS ADOPTION LAW. (a) A physician who submits an application |
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for the renewal of a license and whose practice includes treating |
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pregnant women must complete at least one hour of continuing |
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education in Texas adoption law. The continuing education must |
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include instruction on: |
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(1) the process to voluntarily terminate the rights of |
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an alleged biological father under Section 161.002, Family Code, |
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for the purpose of adoption; |
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(2) the process to terminate parental rights before |
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birth or after birth under Sections 161.002 and 161.003, Family |
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Code; |
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(3) the ability of a mother to authorize the release of |
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her newborn child from the hospital or birthing center to a licensed |
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child-placing agency, the Department of Family and Protective |
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Services, or another designated person as provided by Section |
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161.108, Family Code; |
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(4) the terms regarding limited post-termination |
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contact under Section 161.2061, Family Code; |
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(5) accepting possession of an abandoned child under |
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Section 262.302, Family Code; |
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(6) financial assistance available to an expectant |
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mother who decides to place her baby for adoption as provided by |
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Section 25.08, Penal Code; and |
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(7) the differences between private adoption and |
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foster care adoption, including: |
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(A) the processes and legal requirements for |
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private adoption versus foster care adoption; |
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(B) the role of private adoption agencies versus |
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the Department of Family and Protective Services in facilitating |
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adoptions; |
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(C) support services available to expectant |
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mothers and adoptive families in each process; and |
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(D) the rights and responsibilities of birth |
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parents, adoptive parents, and the state in private and foster care |
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adoptions. |
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(b) A physician must complete the hours required by |
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Subsection (a) in each of the first two renewal periods following |
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the issuance of the physician's initial registration permit under |
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this chapter, with at least one hour to be completed not later than |
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the first anniversary of the date of issuance. |
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(c) After the period described by Subsection (b), a |
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physician must complete at least two hours of continuing education |
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described by Subsection (a) every eight years. |
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(d) The hours required by this section may count toward the |
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continuing education requirements of Section 156.051(a)(2). |
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(e) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section, |
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ensuring that the content and delivery of the continuing education |
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align with current medical standards and guidelines. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas |
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Medical Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes |
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in law made by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |