89R9350 DNC-D
By: Simmons H.B. No. 2475
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to medical education coursework 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 IN CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND
IMPLICIT BIAS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Cultural competence" means, with respect to
health care, the ability to effectively address the health issues
of individuals from diverse backgrounds 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 by rule shall approve coursework in cultural
competence and implicit bias for purposes of Section 51.310,
Education Code.
(c) Coursework 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. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Medical Board shall
adopt the rules necessary to implement this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2026.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.