S.B. No. 968 amends the Occupations Code to establish a new residency license for podiatrists, replacing the previous temporary license designation. The bill allows the commission to adopt rules for issuing this residency license, which includes setting criteria for issuance and defining the maximum validity period of the license. The language changes reflect the transition from a temporary to a residency license, indicating a more structured approach to licensing within the field of podiatry.

Additionally, the bill repeals Sections 202.061 and 202.260 of the Occupations Code, which may have previously governed aspects of podiatry licensing that are now addressed under the new residency license framework. Importantly, the bill ensures that any licenses issued prior to the effective date of this Act will remain valid until their original expiration date, thereby protecting the rights of current license holders. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 202.259 (Occupations Code 202)
Senate Committee Report: Occupations Code 202.259 (Occupations Code 202)
Engrossed: Occupations Code 202.259 (Occupations Code 202)
House Committee Report: Occupations Code 202.259 (Occupations Code 202)
Enrolled: Occupations Code 202.259 (Occupations Code 202)