87R7182 JES-F
By: Campos H.B. No. 1825
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continuing education requirements for dentists
regarding pain management with certain prescription medications.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 257.005, Occupations Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), and
(g) to read as follows:
(b-1) The board shall require a licensed dentist whose
practice includes direct patient care to complete, in accordance
with this section, not less than two hours of board-approved
continuing education [annually] regarding safe and effective pain
management related to the prescription of opioids and other
controlled substances, including education regarding:
(1) reasonable standards of care;
(2) the identification of drug-seeking behavior in
patients; and
(3) effectively communicating with patients regarding
the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substance.
(d) A dentist must complete the hours required by Subsection
(b-1) in each of the first two renewal periods following the
issuance of the dentist's initial license, with two of those hours
to be completed not later than the first anniversary of the date of
issuance.
(e) After the period described by Subsection (d), a dentist
must complete not less than two hours of continuing education
described by Subsection (b-1) every eight years.
(f) The hours required by this section may be completed in
any continuing education program approved by the board.
(g) Notwithstanding Subsections (d) and (e), a dentist who
on September 1, 2021, holds a license to practice under this
subtitle shall complete not less than two hours of continuing
education described by Subsection (b-1) in each of the two renewal
periods occurring after that date. This subsection expires January
1, 2026.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2022, the State
Board of Dental Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to implement
Section 257.005, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Section 257.005, Occupations Code, as amended by this
Act, applies only to an application for renewal of a license
submitted on or after January 1, 2022. A renewal application
submitted before January 1, 2022, is governed by the law in effect
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.