By: Oliverson, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Schwertner) H.B. No. 2556
       (In the Senate - Received from the House April 19, 2023;
April 20, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &
Human Services; May 21, 2023, reported favorably by the following
vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 21, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
 
relating to the licensing and regulation of physician graduates and
the authority of an insured to select a physician graduate under the
insured's health insurance policy; requiring an occupational
license; authorizing fees.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Chapter 155, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. PHYSICIAN GRADUATE
       Sec. 155.201.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
             (1)  "Physician graduate" means an individual issued a
limited license under this subchapter to practice medicine under a
supervising practice agreement with a sponsoring physician.
             (2)  "Sponsoring physician" means a physician who
enters into a supervising practice agreement with a physician
graduate.
             (3)  "Supervising practice agreement" means an
agreement between a sponsoring physician and a physician graduate
regarding the supervision by the sponsoring physician of the
physician graduate's practice of medicine.
       Sec. 155.202.  RULES. The board shall adopt rules in
accordance with this subchapter relating to the licensing and
regulation of physician graduates, including rules relating to:
             (1)  procedures and fees for the issuance, term, and
renewal of a license under this subchapter, including continuing
medical education requirements for renewal of the license;
             (2)  practices and requirements for the supervision of
physician graduates; and
             (3)  any other matter necessary to ensure protection of
the public, including disciplinary procedures.
       Sec. 155.203.  LICENSE ISSUANCE. On application, the board
shall issue a limited license to practice medicine under this
subchapter to an applicant who:
             (1)  is a resident of this state and is:
                   (A)  a United States citizen or a legal permanent
resident; or
                   (B)  otherwise authorized under federal law to
work in the United States;
             (2)  has proficiency in the English language;
             (3)  has graduated:
                   (A)  in the two years preceding the date that the
applicant initially applies for a physician graduate license, from:
                         (i)  a board-recognized accredited medical
school or osteopathic medical school in the United States or
Canada; or
                         (ii)  a medical school located outside of
the United States and Canada that is recognized by the board as
acceptable; or
                   (B)  if the applicant is licensed in good standing
to practice medicine in another country, from a medical school
located outside of the United States and Canada that is recognized
by the board as acceptable;
             (4)  has passed the first and second components of the
United States Medical Licensing Examination or equivalent
components of another board-approved licensing examination
described by Section 155.0511;
             (5)  is not enrolled in a board-approved postgraduate
residency program; and
             (6)  meets any other requirement prescribed by board
rule.
       Sec. 155.204.  FEES. The amount of a fee for the issuance or
renewal of a license under this subchapter may not exceed the amount
of a fee for the issuance or renewal of a physician assistant
license under Chapter 204.
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.205 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
House Committee Report: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
Engrossed: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
Senate Committee Report: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)