By: Smith H.B. No. 2758
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training for physicians in identification and
assistance of victims of human trafficking.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 156.060, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 156.060. CONTINUING EDUCATION IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING
IDENTIFICATION [PREVENTION]. (a) A physician licensed under this
subtitle who submits an application for renewal of a registration
permit and who designates a direct patient care practice must
complete, as part of the hours of continuing medical education
required for compliance with Section 156.051(a)(2), not less than
one hour of continuing medical education regarding identification
and assistance of victims of [a ] human trafficking [prevention
course approved by the executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission under Section 116.002].
(b) A physician who submits an application for renewal of a
registration permit who does not designate a direct patient care
practice shall not be required to complete continuing medical
education on human trafficking under this section.
(c) The board shall:
(1) approve continuing medical education courses on
human trafficking identification and assistance, including at
least one course that is available without charge; and
(2) post a list of the approved courses on the board's
Internet website.
(d) the board shall update the list of approved training
courses described by Subsection (c) as necessary and consider for
approval training courses conducted by health care facilities.
[(b)] (e) The board shall designate the human trafficking
identification and assistance [prevention]course required by
Subsection (a) as a medical ethics or professional responsibility
course for purposes of complying with continuing medical education
required by Section 156.051(a)(2).
(f) A physician subject to Subsection (a) must complete the
continuing medical education required by Subsection (a) in the
first renewal period following the issuance of the physician's
initial registration permit under this chapter.
(g) After the period described by Subsection (f), a
physician subject to Subsection (a) must complete not less than one
hour of continuing medical education described by Subsection (a)
every third renewal period. This subsection only applies if there
is more than one course approved under Subsection (c).
[(c)] (h) The board shall adopt rules to implement this
section.
(i) A physician subject to Subsection (a) also may satisfy
the continuing medical education requirements of this section by
completing not less than one hour of training course approved under
Section 116.002. This subsection expires September 1, 2023.
(j) Notwithstanding Subsections (f) and (g), a physician
who on September 1, 2021, holds a license to practice medicine under
this subtitle shall complete not less than one hour of continuing
medical education described by Subsection (a) in the first renewal
period occurring after that date. This subsection expires September
1, 2022.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.