Texas House Bill HB3183

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the types of medical professionals who may conduct an examination of certain school bus drivers.

Impact

The implementation of HB 3183 is expected to have a notable impact on the transportation sector, particularly regarding the safety of school bus operations. By allowing a wider range of medical professionals to conduct these examinations, the bill aims to alleviate potential bottlenecks or shortages that might arise if drivers could only be examined by a limited number of specialists. This results in more timely assessments, thereby promoting a more efficient process for ensuring that school bus drivers meet the required health standards annually.

Summary

House Bill 3183 relates to the regulation of examinations that certain medical professionals may conduct for school bus drivers. The bill amends the Transportation Code to expand the list of qualified professionals who can perform mental and physical capability evaluations required for school bus operators. Under this legislation, alongside physicians, chiropractors, and advanced practice nurses, physician assistants are also authorized to conduct these evaluations. This change aims to ensure a broader access to qualified examiners for the safety assessments of school bus drivers.

Contention

One possible point of contention surrounding HB 3183 could arise regarding the competency and qualifications of the expanded list of medical professionals allowed to conduct these examinations. Critics might express concern that the quality of evaluations could vary significantly if less experienced or trained practitioners were permitted to perform such critical assessments. Additionally, debate may arise about whether this legislative amendment adequately addresses existing standards for ensuring the safety of school bus operations or if it merely expands the pool of examiners without enhancing overall safety protocols.