S.B. No. 397 aims to enhance regulations surrounding telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth services by requiring health professional regulatory agencies to adopt standardized rules for patient consent documentation. The bill introduces new subsections to Section 111.004 of the Occupations Code, mandating that these rules address consent for treatment, data collection, and data sharing. Additionally, the rules must specify the documentation required for telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth services, and include provisions for consent documentation in an audio-only format when appropriate.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that health professionals must conduct an in-person examination of a patient before initiating any irreversible medical procedures. This requirement aims to ensure patient safety and uphold the standard of care in telehealth practices. The provisions outlined in this bill are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 111.004 (Occupations Code 111)
Senate Committee Report: Occupations Code 111.004 (Occupations Code 111)