Texas House Bill HB2324

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 2/14/23

Caption

Relating to the regulation of certain health professionals and health facilities; providing civil and administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense.

Impact

The bill seeks to enhance patient safety by ensuring that individuals providing direct patient care can be easily identified. The amended health and safety codes include provisions for civil penalties that can reach up to $1,000 per day for ongoing violations related to the photo ID requirements. Furthermore, misleading or deceptive advertising practices by health care providers are addressed, with penalties for those who misrepresent their qualifications or credentials in marketing materials.

Summary

House Bill 2324 aims to regulate certain health professionals and health facilities in Texas by enacting policies that require the use of photo identification badges for health care providers and imposing civil and administrative penalties for non-compliance. The bill outlines specifications for the identification badges, mandating that they display providers' names and the type of license held. This requirement is seen as a measure to promote transparency and accountability in health care services.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 2324 appears to be supportive among legislators advocating for patient safety and professionalism within the health care sector. However, there are concerns raised by some industry stakeholders about the feasibility of compliance, and the potential administrative burden these new requirements may impose on health facilities and health care providers. Critics fear that the implementation could lead to unnecessary penalties, particularly in small practices.

Contention

A notable point of contention has arisen regarding the potential for strict enforcement of civil penalties and how they might disproportionately affect smaller health facilities. The bill's implications for advertising standards in health care raise concerns about how providers communicate their qualifications to patients and the public. As such, the debate centers not just on accountability but also on ensuring that the regulations do not inhibit access to care or disproportionately affect certain practitioners.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

• Chapter 241. Hospitals
  • Section: 009

• Chapter 254. Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facilities
  • Section: New Section

Occupations Code

• Chapter 101. Health Professions Council
  • Section: 201

• Chapter 104. Healing Art Practitioners
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 165. Penalties
  • Section: 156
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 204. Physician Assistants
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 301. Nurses
  • Section: New Section