TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 5. STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 101. DENTAL LICENSURE

22 TAC §101.7

The State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) adopts amendments to §101.7, Licensure by Credentials--Dentists, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 3, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 10711).

The amended rule provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with additional information, via the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Databank (HIPDB), concerning licensees in other states who seek licensure by credentials in Texas.

As part of the licensure by credentials process, applicants submit to the SBDE a background check for criminal or fraudulent activities. This information is obtained from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), the federal repository for final adverse actions reported by licensing boards on actions taken against dental practitioners, via a self query. The applicant submits the NPDB report to the SBDE pursuant to §101.7 (8).

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 created the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Databank (HIPDB), a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting and disclosure of certain final adverse actions taken against health care providers. All state and federal agencies are required by law to report adverse actions to HIPDB beginning October 1, 1999.

As outlined in paragraph (8) of this rule, applicants will now be required to provide information to the SBDE from the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB), as well as the NPDB. This additional information will be reviewed by the SBDE's Credential Review Committee as part of the licensing process to insure that only qualified applicants are granted licensure by credentials in Texas.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The amended rule is adopted under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et. seq.; Texas Civil Statutes, the Occupations Code §254.001 which provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with the authority to adopt and promulgate rules consistent with the Dental Practice Act, and §256.101 which provides the Board with the authority to issue a reciprocal license.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 18, 2000.

TRD-200000328

Jeffry R. Hill

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Effective date: February 7, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 3, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6400


Chapter 109. CONDUCT

Subchapter T. AGREEMENTS WITH NON-DENTIST

22 TAC §109.500

The State Board of Dental Examiners adopts new Subchapter T, Agreements with Non-Dentists, §109.500, concerning Improper Influence on Professional Judgment, without changes to the text proposed in the December 3, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 10712).

The new §109.500 makes it clear that a dentist may not enter into a contract that will have the effect of controlling, influencing, or attempting to control or influence the exercise of his or her professional judgment.

Dental Management service organizations are providing a range of business services to dental practices and help the practices realize benefits in terms of reduced costs and increased number of patients. In Texas, and in other states a concern with such agreements is that they may lead to control or influence over professional decisions. The rule in subsection (b) establishes a presumption that when a dentist enters into a contract that allows any person other than a dentist to exert control or influence over professional judgment concerning any one or more of fifteen activities listed, has violated the Dental Practice Act at §251.003.

Subsection (c) establishes a presumption that listed provisions in a contract do not violate the Dental Practice Act.

A version of this rule was published in the June 25, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 4690) for comment. A number of comments were filed and a public hearing was requested. At public hearing conducted by all Board members, held on August 13, 1999, organizations and individuals presented their concerns with the proposed rules. Board Members discussed the objectives and expressed a willingness to amend the rule to effect changes. The Board and the commenters did not reach consensus regarding the rule language needed to effect the changes that were agreed in principle. The Board asked that the rule be presented at the next board meeting. But, since the rule proposal would at that time be over six months old, and withdrawn by operation of law, the Board voted to withdraw the proposed rule and directed staff to work with the commenters to develop language to effect the agreed changes.

After discussions by staff with a representative of all the commenters at hearing, language was proposed for the Board's consideration. At its November 1999 meeting, the Board approved for publication the rule under consideration.

No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.

The new rule is adopted under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et. seq.; Texas Civil Statutes, the Occupations Code §254.001 which provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with the authority to adopt and promulgate rules consistent with the Dental Practice Act, and with §251.003 (9) as amended by Senate Bill 964, §17, 76th Legislative Session, 1999, which addresses the scope of rules affecting the section.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 18, 2000.

TRD-200000327

Jeffry R. Hill

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Effective date: February 7, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 3, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6400


Part 16. TEXAS BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

Chapter 341. LICENSE RENEWAL

22 TAC §341.1

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §341.1, Requirements for renewal, with changes to the proposed text as published in the November 12, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 9935). In response to public comment, the board is delaying the effective date of a new license renewal requirement, continuing education hours in ethics and professional responsibility, until January 1, 2001.

These amendments are being adopted to ensure that all licensees of this board maintain awareness of their ethical and professional responsibilities, and to streamline the license renewal process, making it less cumbersome for licensees and more cost-efficient for the agency.

These amendments establish the following: 0.2 hours in courses on ethics and professional responsibility are required for renewal; successful completion of the jurisprudence exam is required for renewal; and licensees must maintain continuing education records for four years. These amendments also delete the requirement that licensees submit proof of continuing education with a renewal application, and establish that the board will conduct quarterly audits to determine whether licensees are complying with the CE requirement for renewal.

Comments were received regarding amendments to this section. Three individuals object to the requirement that all licensees must have continuing education (CE) hours in ethics and professional responsibility for license renewal as of September 1, 2000. Two licensees object to the effective date set by the board. They both suggest that the board delay implementation of the requirement so that licensees who have already completed all CE required for their current renewal cycle do not have to take additional CE to meet the new requirement. They also question the availability of courses in the required topics.

Response: The board believes that many licensees currently face increasing pressure to cross the bounds of ethical practice, due to changes in the healthcare industry and in government regulation. Although the board realizes that some licensees may accumulate more than the required hours of continuing education in meeting the new requirement, it believes that delaying the implementation of the requirement would have a negative effect on the public health and welfare. The board has changed the effective date of the new requirement, however, so that licensees have a full year after adoption of the requirement to find and complete the required two hours in ethics and professional responsibility. As to the availability of courses in these topics, the board is aware of several organizations which are developing courses in ethics and professional responsibility, at both the national and state level. The board believes licensees have no reason to be concerned about the availability of courses in these topics.

The second individual suggests that hours in ethics/professional responsibility should be required only of those who have been disciplined by the board for violations of the Act and rules.

Response: The board disagrees with the individual, and believes that all licensees can benefit from a periodic review of the guidelines for ethical and responsible practice.

The rule is adopted under the Physical Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subtitle H, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

§341.1.Requirements for Renewal.

(a)

Biennial renewal. Licensees are required to renew their licenses every two years by the end of the month in which they were originally licensed. The following components are required for license renewal:

(1)

Completion of qualifying continuing education (CE)

(A)

A licensed physical therapist must complete 3.0 continuing education units (CEUs). Effective January 1, 2001, 0.2 CEUs must be in a course addressing ethics and professional responsibility.

(B)

A licensed physical therapist assistant must complete 2.0 CEUs. Effective January 1, 2001, 0.2 CEUs must be in a course addressing ethics and professional responsibility.

(C)

All continuing education taken for purposes of license renewal must be directly relevant to the profession of physical therapy, and must be approved prior to renewal by the board-approved organization.

(D)

The CE courses taken for the purpose of license renewal must be completed in the two years prior to the expiration date of the license.

(E)

The original course completion document or certificate must be retained by the licensee for a period of 4 years. The document must identify the licensee by name and license number, and must include the date, location, and title of the course, the signature of the authorized signer, and the number of CEUs awarded for the course.

(2)

A renewal fee and any late fees which may be due, as set by the executive council

(3)

A passing score as set by the board on the jurisprudence exam

(b)

The executive council will conduct an audit of a random sample of licensees at least quarterly to determine compliance with continuing education requirements. Failure to maintain accurate documentation, or failure to respond to a request to submit documentation for an audit within 30 days of the date on the request, may result in disciplinary action by the board. The board or its committees may request proof of continuing education claimed for renewal purposes at any time from any licensee.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 24, 2000.

TRD-200000430

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Effective date: February 13, 2000

Proposal publication date: November 12, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


22 TAC §341.3

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §341.3, Qualifying continuing education units (CEUs), without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 12, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 9936).

This amendment is being adopted to allow for professional review of continuing education approved for renewal purposes by the board, and to comply with changes made to the Physical Therapy Practice Act by the 76th Legislature.

This amendment establishes the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) as the "licensee peer organization" which will evaluate and approve continuing education for the board. It also eliminates the status of privileged sponsor for continuing education courses, and clarifies other existing requirements.

No comments were received regarding amendment of this section.

The rule is adopted under the Physical Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subtitle H, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 24, 2000.

TRD-200000429

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Effective date: February 13, 2000

Proposal publication date: November 12, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900