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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensing and regulation of orthotists and |
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prosthetists. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 605.254, Occupations Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 605.254. EXEMPTIONS FROM OR SUBSTITUTES FOR LICENSE |
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REQUIREMENTS. (a) The commission by rule may exempt a [A] person |
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[is entitled to an exemption] from one or more of the academic, |
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clinical training, or examination [the license] requirements |
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established under Section 605.252. |
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(b) To be eligible for an exemption under Subsection (a), |
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[if] the person must present [presents] evidence satisfactory to |
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the department that the person possesses unique qualifications to |
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practice orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics. |
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(c) The department shall issue a license under Section |
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605.256(b) to a person who: |
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(1) is determined to be eligible for an exemption [a |
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license] under this section from a requirement established under |
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Section 605.252; and |
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(2) meets all requirements provided under this |
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chapter, other than any requirement for which an exemption is |
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granted under Subdivision (1) [Subsection (a)]. |
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(d) A person holding a license for which an exemption was |
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granted under this section [to whom a license is issued under this |
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subsection] is entitled to the same license privileges as if the |
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person met all [the educational and vocational] requirements of |
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Section 605.252. The license holder is subject to the license |
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renewal requirements established by the commission, other than the |
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[academic, clinical training, and examination] requirements |
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exempted under this section, which the commission may not impose as |
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a condition of the person's license renewal. |
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SECTION 2. Section 605.254, Occupations Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies only to a license application submitted on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. An application for a license |
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submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
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law in effect on the date the application was submitted, and the |
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former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |