2025S0040-1 01/23/25
By: Sparks S.B. No. 903
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continuing education requirements for certain
physicians regarding adoption.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 156.061 to read as follows:
Sec. 156.061. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ON
TEXAS ADOPTION LAW. (a) A physician who submits an application
for the renewal of a license and whose practice includes treating
pregnant women must complete at least one hour of continuing
education in Texas adoption law. The continuing education must
include instruction on:
(1) the process to voluntarily terminate the rights of
an alleged biological father under Section 161.002, Family Code,
for the purpose of adoption;
(2) the process to terminate parental rights before
birth or after birth under Sections 161.002 and 161.003, Family
Code;
(3) the ability of a mother to authorize the release of
her newborn child from the hospital or birthing center to a licensed
child-placing agency, the Department of Family and Protective
Services, or another designated person as provided by Section
161.108, Family Code;
(4) the terms regarding limited post-termination
contact under Section 161.2061, Family Code;
(5) accepting possession of an abandoned child under
Section 262.302, Family Code;
(6) financial assistance available to an expectant
mother who decides to place her baby for adoption as provided by
Section 25.08, Penal Code; and
(7) the differences between private adoption and
foster care adoption, including:
(A) the processes and legal requirements for
private adoption versus foster care adoption;
(B) the role of private adoption agencies versus
the Department of Family and Protective Services in facilitating
adoptions;
(C) support services available to expectant
mothers and adoptive families in each process; and
(D) the rights and responsibilities of birth
parents, adoptive parents, and the state in private and foster care
adoptions.
(b) A physician must complete the hours required by
Subsection (a) in each of the first two renewal periods following
the issuance of the physician's initial registration permit under
this chapter, with at least one hour to be completed not later than
the first anniversary of the date of issuance.
(c) After the period described by Subsection (b), a
physician must complete at least two hours of continuing education
described by Subsection (a) every eight years.
(d) The hours required by this section may count toward the
continuing education requirements of Section 156.051(a)(2).
(e) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section,
ensuring that the content and delivery of the continuing education
align with current medical standards and guidelines.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas
Medical Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes
in law made by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.