86R4525 BEE-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 719
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to medical education coursework and training for
physicians in cultural competence and implicit bias.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.310 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.310. CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS MEDICAL
EDUCATION COURSEWORK. (a) In this section:
(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
(2) "Cultural competence" and "implicit bias" have the
meanings assigned by Section 153.017, Occupations Code.
(3) "Medical school" has the meaning assigned by
Section 61.501.
(b) The coordinating board by rule shall require a medical
school to offer coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias
approved by the Texas Medical Board under Section 153.017(b),
Occupations Code.
(c) A medical school may not award a student a doctor of
medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree
unless the student has successfully completed the number of hours
of coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias required by
coordinating board rule.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 153, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 153.017 to read as follows:
Sec. 153.017. COURSEWORK AND TRAINING IN CULTURAL
COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Cultural competence" means, with respect to
health care, the ability to address the health issues of
individuals from diverse backgrounds effectively by applying
knowledge, empathy, and insight into the views on health that those
backgrounds present.
(2) "Implicit bias" means:
(A) bias in judgment or behavior that results
from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit attitudes and
stereotypes, that often operate at a level below conscious
awareness and without intentional control; or
(B) implicit attitudes and stereotypes that
result in beliefs or simple associations that a person makes
between an object and its evaluation that are automatically
activated by the mere presence, actual or symbolic, of the attitude
object.
(b) The board shall approve coursework and training in
cultural competence and implicit bias for purposes of Section
156.0011 of this code and Section 51.310(c), Education Code.
(c) Coursework and training approved under Subsection (b)
must be:
(1) designed to address medical decisions and
treatment relating to a person's race, ethnicity, nationality,
language, sex, gender, physical and mental ability, and
socioeconomic status; and
(2) developed in consultation with:
(A) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board; and
(B) the Association of American Medical Colleges
or another nationally recognized organization that reviews medical
school curricula.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 156.0011 to read as follows:
Sec. 156.0011. REQUIRED COURSEWORK OR TRAINING IN CULTURAL
COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS; WAIVER. (a) In this section,
"cultural competence" and "implicit bias" have the meanings
assigned by Section 153.017.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the board may not
issue a registration permit to or renew the registration permit of a
person unless the person has successfully completed:
(1) coursework in cultural competence and implicit
bias as a student in a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic
medicine degree program as required by Section 51.310, Education
Code; or
(2) training in cultural competence and implicit bias
approved by the board under Section 153.017(b).
(c) A person who satisfies the requirements of Subsection
(b) is not required to complete additional coursework or training
described by that subsection for the subsequent renewal of the
person's registration permit.
(d) The board by rule shall establish the minimum number of
hours of training necessary to satisfy Subsection (b)(2). A
license holder may complete the training as part of the hours of
continuing medical education completed to comply with Section
156.051(a)(2).
(e) The board may waive the requirements of this section for
a person who demonstrates in a manner prescribed by the board that
the person has successfully completed coursework or training that
is substantially equivalent to that approved by the board under
Section 153.017(b).
SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Medical Board shall
adopt the rules necessary to implement this Act.
SECTION 5. (a) Section 51.310(c), Education Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to a student who enrolls in a doctor of
medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree
program on or after January 1, 2020.
(b) Section 156.0011(b), Occupations Code, as added by this
Act, applies only to a registration permit issued or renewed on or
after January 1, 2020.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.