HBA-SEP H.B. 2584 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2584
By: Chavez
Higher Education
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, training in the field of geriatrics is not a requisite for
medical school graduation.  However, with the growing population of elderly
patients, geriatric training may be an appropriate requirement for
graduation from a medical school.  House Bill 2584 creates the Commission
on Geriatrics Study Requirement for Medical School to assess the
feasibility or desirability of making the study of geriatrics a requisite
for graduation from a medical school in this state. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Commission on Geriatrics Study
Requirement for Medical School in SECTION 1 (Section 61.088, Education
Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2584 amends the Education Code to establish the Commission on
Geriatrics Study Requirement for Medical School (commission) as an advisory
body to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board).  The bill
requires the commission to conduct studies and make findings and
recommendations the commission considers appropriate regarding the
feasibility or desirability of making the study of geriatrics a requisite
for graduation from a medical school in this state.  The commission is not
subject to provisions regarding state agency advisory committees.  The
president of each institution of higher education that operates a medical
school is required to designate a person to serve on the commission as a
representative of the medical school.  The bill authorizes the board to
appoint additional members to the commission as the board considers
appropriate.  The bill also authorizes the commission to adopt rules for
the commission's procedures.  The bill prohibits a commission member from
receiving compensation for commission service.   The commission is required
to issue, not later than October 1, 2002, a report of the commission's
studies, findings, and recommendations and to deliver a copy of the report
to the board.  The commission is abolished January 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.