TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 18. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PODIATRIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 371. EXAMINATIONS

22 TAC §§371.1 - 371.8, 371.11 - 371.17

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§371.1 - 371.8 and 371.11 - 371.17 concerning Examinations, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 15). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603310

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 371. EXAMINATION AND LICENSURE

22 TAC §§371.1, 371.3, 371.5, 371.7, 371.9, 371.11, 371.13, 371.15, 371.17, 371.19, 371.21, 371.23, 371.25

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§371.1, 371.3, 371.5, 371.7, 371.9. 371.11, 371.13, 371.15, 371.17, 371.19, 371.21, 371.23 and 371.25 concerning Examinations and Licensure without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 16). The text will not be republished.

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding those specific changes and a reasoned justification for those changes. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

The Board received one letter of comment jointly from the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Orthopedic Association. The letter includes a comment regarding proposed new §371.7(g), concerned that a 12-month residency is not adequate to train a graduate from podiatry school to practice "medical and surgical techniques on all aspects of the foot up to and including the ankle." The letter states that the 12-month residency differs from the training that various podiatric certifying boards require for specialty certification; that because one or more certifying boards offers 3 levels of certification based on the number of years of residency training a podiatrist has received; and that, therefore, in the opinion of the TMA and TOA, the podiatry board should issue three different types of podiatry license, depending on the number of years of residency a podiatry school graduate completes. The board does not agree with the comments. The rules adopted in Chapter 371, as they concern the residency requirement consist merely of a renumbering of the sections in which the residency rules were contained. The language of the rule itself is not being amended from how it read prior to this rulemaking. The board determined that the initial reasons for adopting those rules continue to exist. As a result, additional reasoned justification for the language the letter addresses is not required; however, the Board adopts by reference the reasons set forth in the adoption preamble(s) that accompanied the text of that rule when the text was previously adopted and amended.

In a more direct response to the comment, the Board notes that the statute requires no residency, but authorizes the board to require applicants for license to additional training requirements. The board has exercised its discretion and applied its specialized knowledge in adopting a residency requirement. The level to which a podiatrist will be permitted to perform certain surgical procedures will depend on the level of ability that podiatrist exhibits. The statute does not provide for three different types of podiatric license based on number of years in residency. The one, two, and three-year requirements the TMA/TOA letter cites are not legal requirements. Those requirements have been adopted by private organizations to apply to licensed podiatrists who wish to obtain additional private board certification, over and above licensure. Private board certification in addition to a podiatry license is not required to practice podiatry, just as private board certification in addition to a medical license is not required to practice medicine.

The Board also notes that the practice of "Medicine" (Texas Occupations Code §151.002(13)is defined as "the diagnosis, treatment, or offer to treat a mental or physical disease or disorder or a physical deformity or injury by any system or method, or the attempt to effect cures of those conditions, by a person who: (A) publicly professes to be a physician or surgeon; or (B) directly or indirectly charges money or other compensation for those services." Furthermore, in part, General Eligibility Requirements for "medical" licensure (Texas Occupations Code §155.003) require that the applicant be at least 21 years of age, has completed at least 60 hours of undergraduate courses and successfully completed a one year residency. A holder of a "medical" license (also with a minimum one year residency requirement for licensure) does not have automatic free reign on the human body, as treatments are approved upon credentialing at the hospital/medical staff level. For example, a cardiologist would need to exhibit to the credentialing committee that he has the special education and training necessary to perform a knee replacement procedure before being permitted to perform one. A proctologist would need to exhibit to the credentialing committee that he has the special education and training necessary to perform an ocular procedure. An orthopedist would need to exhibit to the credentialing committee that she has the special education and training necessary to perform brain surgery. While those specialists hold medical licenses allowing access to the entire body, their individual qualifications, as credentialed at the hospital/medical staff level, limit their privileges for patient treatment based on specialty and exhibited ability. This is all accomplished without requiring a separate type of medical license for each type of medical doctor, based on years of residency.

Likewise, the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners sets forth general requirements to obtain a license to practice podiatric medicine, including a one-year residency. The podiatrist's practice is also reviewed and assessed at the hospital/medical staff level. Local credentialing committees determine privileges for podiatric physicians, as well, with those privileges limited to the scope of "podiatry" as that term is defined in the law, but limited even further, depending on the skills and education shown by the individual practitioner.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry.

These new rules, as adopted, implement the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Provisions related to the Licensing of Guaranteed Student Loan Defaulters implement Texas Occupations Code Chapter 56 and Texas Education Code Chapter 57.

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603321

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 373. IDENTIFICATION OF PRACTICE

22 TAC §§373.1 - 373.7

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§373.1 - 373.7 concerning Identification of Practice without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 21). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603311

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 373. ADVERTISING AND PRACTICE IDENTIFICATION

22 TAC §§373.1, 373.3, 373.5, 373.7, 373.9, 373.11, 373.13, 373.15

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§373.1, 373.3, 373.5, 373.7, 373.9, 373.11, 373.13 and 373.15 concerning Advertising and Practice Identification without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 22).

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, this notice of adopted rule includes discussion regarding those specific rules and a reasoned justification for the rule. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

New §373.13 seeks to clarify the limitations of proper advertising to prevent misleading the public into what insurance payment provisions are required of both the podiatric physician and the prospective patient. For example, patients are required to make co-payments. That insurance requirement cannot be waived by the podiatric physician to solicit patient business. Furthermore, §373.13 also clarifies that podiatric physicians can only advertise board certifications that are approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education or the American Podiatric Medical Association. Due to the ability of any person to obtain questionable credentials in this age of mass communication via the internet, the purpose of this provision is to ensure that the public is not misled or deceived by exaggerated credentials not recognized by formal standards of education and training.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new rules.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry. These rules implement Texas Occupations Code §202.152, concerning rules regarding advertising.

The proposed new rules implement the reorganization as current §375.3 to be merged to new Chapter 373. This reorganization updates the rule language in a manner that ensures the rules remains consistent with Texas Occupations Code §202.001 et seq., as amended by S.B. 402 of the 79th regular legislative session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603322

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 375. RULES GOVERNING CONDUCT

22 TAC §§375.1 - 375.6, 375.8 - 375.16

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§375.1 - 375.6 and 375.8 - 375.16 concerning Rules Governing Conduct without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 25). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603312

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 375. CONDUCT AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

22 TAC §§375.1, 375.3, 375.5, 375.7, 375.9, 375.11, 375.13, 375.15, 375.17, 375.19, 375.21, 375.23, 375.25, 357.27, 375.29, 375.31, 375.33

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§375.1, 375.3, 375.5, 375.7, 375.9, 375.11, 375.13, 375.15, 375.17, 375.19, 375.21, 375.23, 375.25, 375.27, 375.29, 375.31 and 375.33 concerning Conduct and Scope of Practice with no changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 25).

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, this notice of adopted rule includes discussion regarding those specific rules and a reasoned justification for the rule. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar. Section 375.5 adds the provision for annual renewal of Hyperbaric Oxygen Certification. Annual renewal is necessary to ensure that podiatrists maintain modern techniques as recognized by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. This section also identifies the scope of this modality by limiting it to the treatment of the foot and ankle as the entire body is submerged in the dive. Section 375.7 adds the provision for annual renewal of Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation Conscious Sedation. Annual renewal is necessary to ensure that podiatrists maintain modern didactic and clinical techniques for the purpose of proper administration of Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation Conscious Sedation. Section 375.21 adds the cost of x-rays when a patient is requesting copies of their records. Unlike photocopying paper records, separate radiological machines and processes are utilized to duplicate x-ray films at cost. Finally §375.33 clarifies the level of offenses relating to sexual misconduct that can occur in the setting of a doctor/patient relationship. Three levels of boundary violations have been identified to categorize physician behavior responsive to national patient advocacy guidelines.

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners is in receipt of a February 2, 2006 public comment (the TMA/TOA letter) submitted by Robert T. Gunby, M.D. and Steve Norwood, M.D., on behalf of the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Orthopedic Association. The TMA/TOA letter references the litigation currently involving adopted §375.1(2). The Board is aware that the case is currently under appeal but that there is currently in effect the August 23, 2005 "Final Judgment" in Travis County District Court (Cause No. GN-204022) adjudicating §375.1(2), as it appears in these new rules, to be valid and to be within the Board's authority to promulgate.

The letter states an objection to the definition of foot contained in §375.1(2) because the rule includes what is commonly known as the ankle in the definition of "foot." The letter states that including the ankle within the definition of the foot is a "distortion of the anatomical definition of the foot."

The Board disagrees with the comment. The adoption of §375.1(2), and all the other rules in this chapter are re-adoptions of rules already in effect, in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code §2001.039, requiring the review of existing rules every four years. In accordance with that law, the Board determined that the rules, in their entirety, continued to exist, and that, therefore, they should be re-adopted. No additional justification is required.

Figure: 22 TAC Chapter 375 -- Preamble (.pdf)

To reiterate the Board's position referenced in the March 23, 2001, issue of the Texas Register: The definition of "podiatry" provided by the podiatry practice act, Texas Occupations Code §202.001(4), addresses the scope of practice of podiatry in broad, general terms. The board had determined that there exists uncertainty among various groups resulting from the lack of a definition of the term "foot" in the podiatric practices act. Podiatrists were not entirely sure of the limits of their practice; insurance companies were not sure for what procedures podiatrists may charge; hospitals were not entirely sure about the scope of practice for podiatrists; and the public had no guidance to determine whether a podiatrist is practicing within the scope of practice. The board had determined that the definition of the "foot" should be clarified for purposes of the practice of podiatry. It also had determined that the definition should reflect the long-standing practice of podiatry in the State of Texas. The definition the board had adopted was based on a common sense approach to the treatment of patients that is medically sound and protects the patient's interests. The board had applied its expertise in identifying those injuries or other conditions that affect that ability of the foot to function. The rule was arrived at after considering the public welfare and safety, its effect on the consumer, and various definitions that exist for foot. This definition best describes the foot as it functions in the human body.

What commonly is referred to in layman's terms as the "ankle" was included in the definition of "foot" because injury to the ankle causes a failure in the foot's ability to function properly. A procedure on the ankle would be within the podiatrist's scope of practice to the extent that the injury to the ankle causes the inability of any part of the rest of the foot to function properly. While a surgical procedure is being performed on the part of the foot below the ankle, it frequently occurs that the tendon or ligament being repaired is one which is attached to the lower part of the foot on one end and is attached to a higher part of the foot, on the other end. The podiatrist is in the best position to repair the damage on the higher end of that tissue at the same time as the damage to the tissue is being repaired a few centimeters below that spot. Although some of these tissues may be attached at the foot on one end and as high as the knee at the other end, the board, by this rule, limits the scope of podiatric practice to that area that is no higher up the human body than the area at the level at which the structures affect the function of the foot.

In other instances, after the podiatrist begins surgery, pathology to the ankle and soft tissues of the lower leg is noted for the first time. The podiatrist is in the best position to repair the damage during the surgery rather than subjecting the patient to a separate surgical procedure on another day along with the exposure to anesthesia, the discomfort, and other medical risks, costs, and inconveniences that arise from having to return on another day to perform a second procedure that could have been performed during the first surgery. One alternative would be for the podiatrist to obtain another surgeon while the patient is still anesthetized, to complete the repair, assuming another surgeon can be found on short notice. The other option would be to close the patient, leaving the injury as is, until another appointment can be made for another surgery, risking additional injury to the patient in the meantime. Both of those options are not acceptable, when the podiatrist is trained to perform the procedure to repair the damage to the ankle. Of course, a podiatrist that is not trained to perform surgery of the ankle or of the tissues that attach to a location above the lower foot, would not be authorized to perform the procedure, not because the definition does not allow it, but because the proper practice of podiatric medicine consistent with the public health and welfare would require an unqualified podiatrist to refrain from attempting procedures that are not within the podiatrist's capability. The podiatric practice act already protects against such an occurrence by making it a violation of the act for a podiatrist to practice podiatry in a manner inconsistent with the public health and welfare.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry.

The adopted new rules implement the reorganization as current Chapter 380 to be merged to Revised Chapter 375; Current Chapter 381 to be merged to Revised Chapter 375; and Current Chapter 383 to be merged to Revised Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a manner that ensures the rules remains consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 et seq., as amended by S.B. 402 of the 79th regular legislative session (2005). The provisions related to sexual misconduct are responsive, but not limited to Texas Penal Code, Title 5, regarding sexual offenses.

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603323

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 376. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

22 TAC §§376.1 - 376.11, 376.21

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§376.1 - 376.11 and §376.21 concerning Violations and Penalties without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 31). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603313

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


22 TAC §§376.1, 376.3, 376.5, 376.7, 376.9, 376.11, 376.13, 376.15, 376.17, 376.19, 376.21, 376.23, 376.25, 376.27, 376.29, 376.31, 376.33, 376.35

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§376.1, 376.3, 376.5, 376.7, 376.9, 376.11, 376.13, 376.15, 376.17, 376.19, 376.21, 376.23, 376.25, 376.27, 376.29, 376.31, 376.33, and 376.35 concerning Violations and Penalties without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 32).

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, this notice of adopted rule includes discussion regarding those specific rules and a reasoned justification for the rule. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar. Section 376.5 increases the maximum penalty per violation from $2,500 to $5,000 as required by amendments to Texas Occupations Code, §202.552. Section 376.15 implements the board's authority to issue cease and desist orders as authorized by §202.6015. Section 376.17 implements the board's the authority to issue refund orders as authorized by §202.5085. Refund orders are not a means for a patient to seek restitution from the physician beyond actual out-of-pocket costs rendered for podiatric services provided. For example, a patient may not receive compensation for pain and suffering, even if such compensation is labeled as a refund. The board will look at the substance of the relief requested and the violation that is alleged in determining whether a refund is appropriate. In addition, an order requiring a refund of co-payments is not permitted. Physicians are required to collect co-payments in accordance with insurance industry standards. Insurance requirements cannot be waived by the podiatric physician to solicit patient business. Section 376.19(a) clarifies other actions which rise to the level of a criminal violation of practice without a license as provided in Texas Occupations Code §202.605. Section 376.19(c) implements the statutory provisions that authorize the board to conduct unannounced visits. In addition to allowing the board to investigate and confirm that a licensee is complying with the laws of podiatry, this provision also implements a program authorized by statute for the board to investigate whether or not a licensee on suspension is practicing podiatry in violation of a Board order as authorized by Texas Occupations Code §202.602. Section 376.21 provides a process for the temporary suspension of a license as authorized by Texas Occupations Code §202.510, for situations that pose an immediate threat to public welfare. Section 376.27(a) clarifies the means and manner in which complaints can be filed with the Board and also describes categories of complaints investigated by the Board as required by amendments to Texas Occupations Code §202.204. Section 376.27(b) clarifies that the Board shall periodically notify the complaint parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition in accordance with requirements of Texas Occupations Code §202.204. Section 376.27(d) implements a requirement of federal law that all board actions be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank/Healthcare Integrity Protection Data Bank as required by Section 1921 and Section 1128E of the Social Security Act. Section 376.27(f) identifies the Board's role and duty in pursuing alleged crimes by conducting requisite criminal investigations and cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of those crimes. This section is also responsive to the Board's duties related to conducting criminal background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and any other means necessary to ensure the proper practice of podiatric medicine, as authorized by Texas Occupations Code §202.509(e), Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, H.B. 660 pursuant to the acts of the 78th Legislature and implementation of Texas Government Code Sections 411.087 and 411.122. Section 376.29 implements the board's authority to monitor licensee compliance as authorized by Texas Occupations Code §202.602. Section 376.31 consists of factors and criteria that the board will consider when faced with a licensee whose background and criminal history checks turn up positive or who are otherwise implicated in matters related to criminal activity. They also contain guidelines required by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, concerning disciplinary action resulting from a felony conviction as authorized by Texas Occupations Code §202.1525.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new sections.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry.

The adopted new rules implement the reorganization of current Chapter 376. This chapter will remain separate but has been updated to reflect amendments to Chapter 202 of the Occupations Code during the 2005 regular legislative session. This reorganization updates the rules in a manner that ensures the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 et seq., as amended by S.B. 402 of the 79th regular legislative session (2005).

Provisions related to reporting Board disciplinary actions to the National Practitioner Databank - Healthcare Integrity Protection Databank implement Section 1921 and Section 1128E of the Social Security Act. Provisions related to the Consequences of Background and Criminal History Checks implement Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, H.B. 660 pursuant to the acts of the 78th Legislature and implementation of Texas Government Code §411.087 and §411.122. Provisions related to criminal investigations are also responsive to all titles found within the Texas Penal Code as executed through the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, efforts to fight waste, fraud and abuse pursuant to Governor Perry's Executive Order RP-36; and Texas Occupations Code §202.509(e) related to the board's cooperation with law enforcement.

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603324

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 377. PROCEDURES GOVERNING GRIEVANCES, HEARINGS, AND APPEALS

22 TAC §§377.1 - 377.3, 377.5 - 377.12, 377.14 - 377.16, 377.19 - 377.22, 377.24, 377.27, 377.31 - 377.38, 377.41, 377.45

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§377.1 - 377.3, 377.5 - 377.12, 377.14 - 377.16, 377.19 - 377.22, 377.24, 377.27, 377.31 - 377.38, 377.41 and 377.45 concerning Procedures Governing Grievances, Hearings, and Appeals without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 38). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603314

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


22 TAC §§377.1, 377.3, 377.5, 377.7, 377.9, 377.11, 377.13, 377.15, 377.17, 377.19, 377.21, 377.23, 377.25, 377.27, 377.29, 377.31, 377.33, 377.35, 377.37, 377.39, 377.41, 377.43, 377.45, 377.47, 377.49, 377.51, 377.53, 377.55, 377.57, 377.59

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§377.1, 377.3, 377.5, 377.7, 377.9, 377.11, 377.13, 377.15, 377.17, 377.19, 377.21, 377.23, 377.25, 377.27, 377.29, 377.31, 377.33, 377.35, 377.37, 377.39, 377.41, 377.43, 377.45, 377.47, 377.49, 377.51, 377.53, 377.55, 377.57 and 377.59 concerning Procedures Governing Grievances, Hearings, and Appeals without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 39).

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, this notice of adopted rule includes discussion regarding those specific rules and a reasoned justification for the rule. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new sections.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry, and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry.

The adopted new rules implement the reorganization and incorporation of the provisions contained in Chapter 379 of the rules, which has been repealed. This chapter will remain separate but has been updated to reflect amendments to Chapter 202 of the Occupations Code during the 2005 regular legislative session. This reorganization updates the rules in a manner that ensures the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 et seq., as amended by S.B. 402 of the 79th regular legislative session (2005). This Chapter also implements Texas Government Code Chapter 2009 and is responsive to Texas Government Code Chapter 2001.

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603325

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 378. CONTINUING EDUCATION

22 TAC §§378.1 - 378.3, 378.5 - 378.8

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§378.1 - 378.3 and 378.5 - 378.8 concerning Continuing Education without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 43). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603315

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 378. CONTINUING EDUCATION AND LICENSE RENEWAL

22 TAC §§378.1, 378.3, 378.5, 378.7, 378.9, 378.11, 378.13

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§378.1, 378.3, 378.5, 378.7, 378.9, 378.11 and 378.13 concerning Continuing Education and License Renewal without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 44).

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, this notice of adopted rule includes discussion regarding those specific rules and a reasoned justification for the rule. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

Section 378.13 bases the penalty for expired licenses on the amount for annual license renewal rather than the amount for examination application fee as required by amendments to Texas Occupations Code §202.301.

No comments were received regarding the board's adoption of the new sections.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry.

The adopted new rules implement the reorganization of old Chapter 378, which these rules replace. To the extent applicable, this Chapter has been updated to reflect amendments to Chapter 202 of the Occupations Code during the 2005 regular legislative session. This reorganization updates the rules in a manner that ensures the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 et seq., as amended by S.B. 402 of the 79th regular legislative session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603326

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 379. FEES AND RENEWAL

22 TAC §379.1, §379.2

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §379.1 and §379.2 concerning Fees and Renewal without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 46). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603316

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 380. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN GUIDELINES

22 TAC §380.1

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §380.1 concerning Hyperbaric Oxygen Guidelines without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 46). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603317

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 381. RELATIVE ANALGESIA

22 TAC §§381.1 - 381.8

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§381.1 - 381.8 concerning Relative Analgesia without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 47). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603318

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 382. PODIATRIC MEDICAL TECHNICIANS

22 TAC §§382.1 - 382.6

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§382.1 - 382.6 concerning Podiatric Medical Technicians without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 48). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001-202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603319

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 382. RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS

22 TAC §§382.1, 382.3, 382.5, 382.7, 382.9, 382.11

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts new §§382.1, 382.3, 382.5, 382.7, 382.9 and 382.11 concerning Radiologic Technologists without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 49).

These new rules have been adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the old rules that these new rules replace, instead of being amended, were repealed in their entirety at the same time that these new rules were adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules remains identical to the text of the old rules they replace--only some section numbers will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, this notice of adopted rule includes discussion regarding those specific rules and a reasoned justification for the rule. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules, as they currently exist, require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

The following new rules contain language that differs from the language in the original rules as they read under old Chapter 382, which has been repealed:

The heading for Chapter 382 is changed to "Radiologic Technologists."

New §382.9 decreases the penalty time-frame from one to ninety days to one to thirty days and also changes the penalty amount from $5.00 to $25.00 to ensure timely and proper registration of technicians.

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners is in receipt of a February 2, 2006 public comment submitted by Robert T. Gunby, M.D. and Steve Norwood, M.D., on behalf of the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Orthopaedic Association, to the Board's proposed rules published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register .

The TMA/TOA states that the proposed §382.7(a) allowing a podiatrist to delegate "certain radiological procedures affecting the ankle to a non-certified podiatric technician" "parlays upon the anatomically incorrect definition of the foot" and that it does not conform to the podiatrist's education, training, and experience or to that of the technician who is delegated the tasks. The Board does not agree with the comments. The definition of the term foot is not proposed in this chapter and is not at issue in this rulemaking. The Board determined that the ankle is included in the definition of the foot in 2001; and that is the language that has remained in effect to date. The adoption of rule §382.7(a) is merely a re-adoption of a rule already in effect, in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code §2001.039, requiring the review of existing rules every four years. In accordance with that law, the Board determined that the reasons why the rule was originally adopted continued to exist, and that, therefore, it should be re-adopted. No additional justification is required.

Concerns relating to the delegation of "certain radiological procedures affecting the ankle to a non-certified podiatric technician" are misplaced. It is within the podiatrist's scope of practice to treat the ankle, and so, too, the podiatrist may delegate radiologic procedures to qualified people as determined pursuant to the laws regulating podiatry, radiologic procedures and delegation authority.

The new rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the laws regulating the practice of podiatry.

The adopted new rules implement the reorganization of old Chapter 382. This reorganization updates the rules in a manner that ensures the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code Section 202.001 et seq., as amended by S.B. 402 of the 79th regular legislative session (2005). This reorganization also implements Texas Occupations Code §601.252.

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603327

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000


Chapter 383. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

22 TAC §§383.1 - 383.4

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners adopts the repeal of §§383.1 - 383.4 concerning Sexual Misconduct without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 6, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 50). The text will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted as the culmination to the rule review process wherein the Board reviews its rules in their entirety every four years, as required by Government Code §2001.039. The review was completed, and the Board has determined that the reasons the rules initially were adopted continue to exist. However, the Board has also determined that a few substantive changes are necessary for a few of the rules and that a comprehensive and non-substantive re-organization of the rules is needed, as well. Part of the comprehensive reorganization of the Board's rules under 22 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Part 18, includes collapsing related administrative provisions, currently spread out in various chapters of the TAC, into fewer, more understandable and functional chapters that follow a more logical progression. Regarding this re-organization of the rules, the board determined that, given the large number of rules involved, administrative inconvenience and probable reader confusion would arise from striking a large volume of individual sections, paragraphs, or clauses and then adding those same sections, paragraphs, or clauses elsewhere in the rules, as would have otherwise been required by the formatting and style requirements for amending rules. To avoid reader confusion, the current rules, instead of being amended, are being repealed in their entirety at the same time that new rules to replace them are being adopted in their entirety. For the most part, the text of the new rules will be identical to the current rules--only the section number will have changed.

To a lesser degree, certain new rules with new text are being adopted, and a few substantive changes are being made to some of the rules that are being repealed and that are being adopted in another chapter of the Board's rules. To the extent that this occurs, the notice of adopted rule will include discussion regarding the change and a reasoned justification for that change. Some substantive changes seek to update the Board's rules to conform to changes in the law occasioned by the enactment of S.B. 402 during the 79th regular legislative session in 2005. In some cases, the changes reflect the Board's decision that the rules as they currently exist require some refinement; and in some cases, the change in the rule merely consists of clarification of the current rule, correction of a grammatical or typographical error, or something similar.

No comments were received regarding the board's repeal of these rules.

The repeal is being adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the laws of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The repeal implements the reorganization described above, with the text of current Chapter 379 to be merged into new Chapter 371; current Chapter 380 to be merged into new Chapter 375; current Chapter 381 to be merged into new Chapter 375; Chapter 376 will remain separate but has been updated to reflect certain changes in the law; current Chapter 382 will remain separate but with a change in heading to "Radiologic Technologists;" and current Chapter 383 to be merged into new Chapter 375. This reorganization updates the rules in a way that the rules remain consistent with Texas Occupations Code §§202.001 - 202.606, as amended by S.B. 402, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005).

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 June 15, 2006.

TRD-200603320

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer V

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Effective date: July 5, 2006

Proposal publication date: January 6, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7000