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AN ACT
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relating to provisional licensing of physicians to practice in |
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underserved areas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 155, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 155.101 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 155.101. PROVISIONAL LICENSE TO PRACTICE IN CERTAIN |
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AREAS. (a) On application, the board shall grant a provisional |
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license to practice medicine in a location described by Subsection |
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(e) to an applicant for a license under this subtitle who is |
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licensed in good standing as a physician in another state. |
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(b) The board may not grant a provisional license under this |
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section to an applicant who: |
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(1) has had a medical license suspended or revoked by |
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another state or a Canadian province; or |
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(2) holds a medical license issued by another state or |
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a Canadian province that is subject to a restriction, disciplinary |
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order, or probationary order. |
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(c) The provisional license applicant must: |
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(1) have passed a national or other examination |
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recognized by the board relating to the practice of medicine within |
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the number of attempts allowed under Section 155.056; |
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(2) submit information to enable the board to conduct |
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a criminal background check as required by the board; and |
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(3) be sponsored by a person licensed under this |
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subtitle with whom the provisional license holder may practice |
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under this section. |
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(d) The board may excuse an applicant for a provisional |
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license from the requirement of Subsection (c)(3) if the board |
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determines that compliance with that subsection constitutes a |
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hardship to the applicant. |
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(e) A person who holds a provisional license issued under |
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this section may only practice medicine in a location: |
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(1) designated by the federal government as a health |
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professional shortage area; or |
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(2) designated by the federal or state government as a |
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medically underserved area. |
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(f) A provisional license expires on the earlier of: |
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(1) the date the board issues the provisional license |
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holder a license under this subtitle or denies the provisional |
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license holder's application for a license; or |
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(2) the 270th day after the date the provisional |
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license was issued. |
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(g) The board shall issue a license under this subtitle to |
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the holder of a provisional license under this section if: |
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(1) the provisional license holder passes the |
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examination required by Section 155.051; and |
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(2) the provisional license holder satisfies all other |
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license requirements under this subtitle. |
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SECTION 2. Section 155.101, Occupations Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies to an application for a provisional license |
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submitted on or after January 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 202 passed the Senate on |
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March 19, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 202 passed the House on |
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May 25, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, one |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |