BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 968 89R5474 DNC-F By: Zaffirini Health & Human Services 3/28/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT In 2017 podiatrist licensing was moved from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR.) This change caused some of the regulations for TDLR to become outdated and not aligned with the department's general practices. Currently, the only "temporary" license for podiatry is the "temporary residency license," required for persons enrolled in an accredited Graduate Podiatric Medical Education program (residency program.) The use of the term "temporary license" in statutes and regulations can lead to confusion, as these licenses should be more accurately known as residency licenses. Accordingly, S.B. 968 would replace "temporary license" with "residency license" to reduce confusion and clarify the licensure requirement during residency. Under DSHS, the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (TSBPME) acted as the policymaking board for podiatry. After the transition, the rules for the new policymaking body, the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board, were not updated to align with TDLR's practices. To address this issue, S.B. 968 would repeal outdated provisions and align the board's training requirements with TDLR's standards. Provisional licenses, previously issued by TSBPME to out-of-state podiatrists awaiting the Podiatry Jurisprudence Exam, are now obsolete because the exam is available on-demand. S.B. 968 would eliminate provisional licenses, which have not been issued since TDLR assumed responsibility in 2017. As proposed, S.B. 968 amends current law relating to the licensing and regulation of the practice of podiatry. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority previously granted to Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 202.259, Occupations Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 202.259, Occupations Code, as follows: Sec. 202.259. New heading: RESIDENCY LICENSE. (a) Authorizes the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) by rule to adopt a procedure for the issuance of a residency license to an applicant. Deletes existing text authorizing TCLR by rule to adopt a procedure for the issuance of a temporary license to an applicant other than an applicant for a provisional license under Section 202.260 (Provisional License). (b) Makes conforming changes to this subsection. SECTION 2. Repealers: Sections 202.061 (Limited License for Podiatry Faculty Members) and 202.060 (Provisional License), Occupations Code. SECTION 3. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 202.259, Occupations Code, does not affect the validity of a license issued under that section before the effective day of this Act. Provides that a license issued under that section before the effective date of this Act that is in effect on that date expires according to the term provided on the date of issuance, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 968
89R5474 DNC-F By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
3/28/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 968
89R5474 DNC-F
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
3/28/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In 2017 podiatrist licensing was moved from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR.) This change caused some of the regulations for TDLR to become outdated and not aligned with the department's general practices.
Currently, the only "temporary" license for podiatry is the "temporary residency license," required for persons enrolled in an accredited Graduate Podiatric Medical Education program (residency program.) The use of the term "temporary license" in statutes and regulations can lead to confusion, as these licenses should be more accurately known as residency licenses. Accordingly, S.B. 968 would replace "temporary license" with "residency license" to reduce confusion and clarify the licensure requirement during residency.
Under DSHS, the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (TSBPME) acted as the policymaking board for podiatry. After the transition, the rules for the new policymaking body, the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board, were not updated to align with TDLR's practices. To address this issue, S.B. 968 would repeal outdated provisions and align the board's training requirements with TDLR's standards.
Provisional licenses, previously issued by TSBPME to out-of-state podiatrists awaiting the Podiatry Jurisprudence Exam, are now obsolete because the exam is available on-demand. S.B. 968 would eliminate provisional licenses, which have not been issued since TDLR assumed responsibility in 2017.
As proposed, S.B. 968 amends current law relating to the licensing and regulation of the practice of podiatry.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority previously granted to Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 202.259, Occupations Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 202.259, Occupations Code, as follows:
Sec. 202.259. New heading: RESIDENCY LICENSE. (a) Authorizes the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) by rule to adopt a procedure for the issuance of a residency license to an applicant. Deletes existing text authorizing TCLR by rule to adopt a procedure for the issuance of a temporary license to an applicant other than an applicant for a provisional license under Section 202.260 (Provisional License).
(b) Makes conforming changes to this subsection.
SECTION 2. Repealers: Sections 202.061 (Limited License for Podiatry Faculty Members) and 202.060 (Provisional License), Occupations Code.
SECTION 3. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 202.259, Occupations Code, does not affect the validity of a license issued under that section before the effective day of this Act. Provides that a license issued under that section before the effective date of this Act that is in effect on that date expires according to the term provided on the date of issuance, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.