HBA-MPM S.B. 556 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 556
By: Nelson
Public Health
3/31/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, state law authorizes physicians licensed to practice in the
State of Texas to refer patients to an occupational therapist. In some
cases it is necessary for a licensed chiropractor or podiatrist operating
in the scope of practice to refer patients to an occupational therapist for
treatment.  S.B. 556 authorizes licensed, qualified health care
professionals, within the scope of that professional's licensure, to refer
patients to occupational therapists.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 27, Article 8851, V.T.C.S. (Occupational Therapy
Practice Act), as follows: 

Sec. 27.  New title:  PRACTITIONER'S REFERRAL.  Requires implementation of
direct occupational therapy to individuals for their specific health care
conditions, rather than medical conditions, to be based on a referral from
a physician licensed by a state board of medical examiners, rather than a
physician licensed to practice in the State of Texas; a dentist licensed by
a state board of dental examiners; a chiropractor licensed by a state board
of chiropractic examiners; a podiatrist licensed by a state board of
podiatric medical examiners; or any other qualified, licensed health care
professional who, within the score of the person's licensure, is authorized
to refer for health care services.  Provides that the professional taking
an action under this section is a referring practitioner.  Deletes
"physician's" from title.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.