BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 4438 By: Shofner Higher Education Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that Texas faces a critical shortage of pediatric subspecialists, which impacts the quality of care and access to specialized services for children, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. This gap not only delays critical treatments for children but also places an increased burden on families and the health care system. H.B. 4438 seeks to encourage more medical school students to choose a pediatric subspecialty on graduation by providing for the operation of a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 4438 amends the Education Code to authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to contract with one or more organizations to operate a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program for medical students enrolled in Texas medical schools. The bill requires an organization eligible to receive funds under the program to qualify for exemption from federal income tax under Section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or be operated by a state accredited medical school. The bill requires students eligible to participate in the program to indicate an interest in a career in a pediatric subspecialty. The bill defines the following terms: "medical school" by reference to statutory provisions governing contracts for medical residency programs, except the bill specifies that the term also includes the school of osteopathic medicine at the University of the Incarnate Word; and "pediatric subspecialty" as a pediatric medical subspecialty certification offered by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Association. H.B. 4438 applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 4438
By: Shofner
Higher Education
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 4438
By: Shofner
Higher Education
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee that Texas faces a critical shortage of pediatric subspecialists, which impacts the quality of care and access to specialized services for children, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. This gap not only delays critical treatments for children but also places an increased burden on families and the health care system. H.B. 4438 seeks to encourage more medical school students to choose a pediatric subspecialty on graduation by providing for the operation of a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 4438 amends the Education Code to authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to contract with one or more organizations to operate a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program for medical students enrolled in Texas medical schools. The bill requires an organization eligible to receive funds under the program to qualify for exemption from federal income tax under Section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or be operated by a state accredited medical school. The bill requires students eligible to participate in the program to indicate an interest in a career in a pediatric subspecialty. The bill defines the following terms: "medical school" by reference to statutory provisions governing contracts for medical residency programs, except the bill specifies that the term also includes the school of osteopathic medicine at the University of the Incarnate Word; and "pediatric subspecialty" as a pediatric medical subspecialty certification offered by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Association. H.B. 4438 applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.
EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee that Texas faces a critical shortage of pediatric subspecialists, which impacts the quality of care and access to specialized services for children, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. This gap not only delays critical treatments for children but also places an increased burden on families and the health care system. H.B. 4438 seeks to encourage more medical school students to choose a pediatric subspecialty on graduation by providing for the operation of a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 4438 amends the Education Code to authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to contract with one or more organizations to operate a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program for medical students enrolled in Texas medical schools. The bill requires an organization eligible to receive funds under the program to qualify for exemption from federal income tax under Section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or be operated by a state accredited medical school. The bill requires students eligible to participate in the program to indicate an interest in a career in a pediatric subspecialty. The bill defines the following terms:
"medical school" by reference to statutory provisions governing contracts for medical residency programs, except the bill specifies that the term also includes the school of osteopathic medicine at the University of the Incarnate Word; and
"pediatric subspecialty" as a pediatric medical subspecialty certification offered by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Association.
H.B. 4438 applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.
EFFECTIVE DATE
On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.