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  S.B. No. 1476
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of a community health center to contract
  with or employ an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 351, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 351.367 to read as follows:
         Sec. 351.367.  CONTRACT OR EMPLOYMENT WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH
  CENTERS. (a)  In this section, "community health center" means a
  health organization that:
               (1)  is a nonprofit corporation under the Texas
  Non-Profit Corporation Act (Article 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's
  Texas Civil Statutes) and Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code
  of 1986; and
               (2)  is organized and operated as:
                     (A)  a migrant, community, or homeless health
  center under the authority of and in compliance with 42 U.S.C.
  Section 254b or 254c; or
                     (B)  a federally qualified health center under 42
  U.S.C. Section 1396d(l)(2)(B).
         (b)  The board by rule shall certify a health organization to
  contract with or employ an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist
  if the organization:
               (1)  applies for certification on a form approved by
  the board; and
               (2)  presents proof satisfactory to the board that the
  organization is a community health center.
         (c)  A community health center that contracts with or employs
  an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist under this section may
  not control or attempt to control the professional judgment of the
  optometrist or therapeutic optometrist.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1476 passed the Senate on
  April 30, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1476 passed the House on
  May 15, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, one present
  not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor