H.B. No. 1491
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the temporary licensing of a dentist who performs
  voluntary charity care.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 256, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 256.1016 to read as follows:
         Sec. 256.1016.  TEMPORARY LICENSE FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSE.
  (a) In this section, "voluntary charity care" has the meaning
  assigned by board rule under Section 256.102.
         (b)  The board shall grant a temporary license for a dentist
  whose practice consists only of voluntary charity care to a
  reputable dentist who meets the requirements of Sections
  256.101(a)(3), (4), and (5) and who:
               (1)  ceased practicing dentistry in another state that
  the board has determined has licensing requirements that are
  substantially similar to the requirements of this state not more
  than two years before the date the dentist applies for a license
  under this section and was licensed in good standing at the time the
  dentist ceased practicing dentistry; or
               (2)  is currently licensed in another state that the
  board has determined has licensing requirements that are
  substantially similar to the requirements of this state.
         (c)  A dentist issued a license under this section shall:
               (1)  confine the dentist's practice to voluntary
  charity care;
               (2)  practice only in a geographic area specified by
  the license; and
               (3)  practice only for the period specified by the
  license.
         (d)  The board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement
  this section.
         (e)  The board shall take disciplinary action against a
  dentist licensed under this section for a violation of this
  subtitle or board rules in the same manner as against a dentist
  licensed under Subchapter A.
         SECTION 2.  The State Board of Dental Examiners shall adopt
  rules as necessary to implement Section 256.1016, Occupations Code,
  as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2014.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2013.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1491 was passed by the House on April
  17, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1491 was passed by the Senate on May
  17, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor