The bill, H.B. No. 1649, amends the Insurance Code to enhance the powers and duties of self-insurance trusts related to health care liability claims. It specifically updates the heading of Section 2212.054 to include "AND DUTIES OF TRUST" and modifies Subsection (a) to allow trusts to purchase professional liability insurance not only for members of the association that created the trust but also for other individuals licensed to practice medicine or dentistry in Texas. Additionally, the bill introduces a new Subsection (c) that prohibits trusts from making membership in the association a condition for issuing professional liability insurance or other insurance to licensed medical or dental practitioners.

These changes aim to broaden the availability of insurance options for health care providers, ensuring that they can obtain necessary coverage without being required to join a specific association. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or, if not, on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 2212.054 (Insurance Code 2212)