HBA-DMH H.B. 1018 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1018
By: Hardcastle
Public Health
2/11/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Many rural communities in Texas are experiencing a shortage of health care
professionals. To help rural and medically underserved areas recruit
physicians from out of state, House Bill 1018 requires the Texas State
Board of Medical Examiners to implement an expedited licensing process for
physicians who are already licensed in another state and intend to pracitce
in a rural community in Texas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas State Board of Medical
Examiners in SECTION 1 (Section 155.1025, Occupations Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1018 amends the Occupations Code to require the Texas State
Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules for expediting any application
for a license to practice medicine made by a person who is licensed to
practice medicine in another state and who submits an affidavit with the
application that the applicant intends to practice medicine in a rural
community as determined by the Center for Rural Health Initiatives. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.