The bill, S.B. No. 1430, mandates that public and nonprofit hospitals provide leave for students, interns, residents, and fellows undergoing clinical education to receive an annual comprehensive health examination. Specifically, it requires that contracts under Section 312.004 of the Health and Safety Code include a provision for at least six consecutive hours of leave each year for these individuals to undergo the examination. Furthermore, the hospitals must offer the examination at no charge and cannot reduce any compensation for the time taken off for this purpose.

Additionally, the bill amends existing legal language to clarify that contracting parties may determine the terms of their contracts, while also introducing a new section that explicitly outlines the required leave for health examinations. The changes will apply only to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Contracts established before this date will continue to be governed by the previous law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 312.004 (Health and Safety Code 312)