HBA-NMO H.B. 1076 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1076 By: Christian Public Health 2/24/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law requires the Texas Board of Health, by rule, to identify radiologic procedures that are dangerous or hazardous and that can only be performed by a practitioner or a certified medical radiologic technologist. Radiologic procedures involving x-ray machines designed and manufactured only for dental radiography were exempted from that provision because it was asserted that the potential for harm to humans from the use of such equipment is minimal and the Texas Dental Board had already implemented a training program for dental assistants. It is now asserted that the risk of harm to humans from the use of podiatric x-ray machines is similarly minimal. In addition, the Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners has also implemented a training program for podiatric medical assistants. H.B. 1076 exempts from Board of Health regulations radiologic procedures involving x-ray machines designed and manufactured only for use in podiatric radiography. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2.05, Article 4512m, V.T.C.S. (The Medical Radiological Technologist Certification Act), by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: (l) Provides that Subsection (g) of this section does not apply to a radiological procedure involving a podiatric x-ray machine designed and manufactured only for use in podiatric radiography. Subsection (g) requires the Texas Board of Health with the assistance of other appropriate state agencies to by rule identify by rule radiologic procedures that are dangerous or hazardous and that may only be performed by a practitioner or a medical radiologic technologist certified under this Act. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.