The bill, H.B. No. 2475, mandates the inclusion of coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias in medical education in Texas. It introduces a new section, 51.310, to the Education Code, which requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish rules for medical schools to offer approved coursework in these areas. Furthermore, medical schools will not be allowed to award a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree unless students complete the required hours of this coursework. The bill also adds Section 153.017 to the Occupations Code, defining cultural competence and implicit bias, and outlining the requirements for the coursework to be approved by the Texas Medical Board.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Medical Board are tasked with adopting the necessary rules to implement this act by December 1, 2025. The provisions regarding the coursework will apply to students enrolling in medical programs on or after January 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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