89R16147 JTZ-D     By: Hall S.B. No. 2422       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to investigations and disciplinary or punitive action by   the Texas Medical Board regarding certain treatments or practices   regarding COVID-19 and to the required expungement of certain   records.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 153, Occupations Code, is   amended by adding Section 153.017 to read as follows:          Sec. 153.017.  LIMITATION ON INVESTIGATIVE AND DISCIPLINARY   AUTHORITY. The board may not investigate or take disciplinary or   other punitive action against a person regulated by the board for:                (1)  prescribing or advocating for the use of   ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, or budesonide in the prevention or   treatment of COVID-19;                (2)  making statements regarding the efficacy of masks   in preventing the transmission of COVID-19; or                (3)  failing to wear or require others to wear masks   intended to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in connection with   the person's practice, other than in areas where it was customary to   wear masks before the COVID-19 pandemic.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas   Medical Board shall:                (1)  review its records and expunge any record created   on or after January 1, 2020, related to the investigation of or   disciplinary or other punitive action taken against a person   regulated by the board if the record contains any of the following   words:                      (A)  budesonide;                      (B)  hydroxychloroquine;                      (C)  ivermectin; or                      (D)  mask; and                (2)  in connection with each record expunged under   Subdivision (1):                      (A)  vacate any disciplinary action imposed and   rescind any other punitive action taken by the board;                      (B)  refund, out of existing funds, all fines   collected from the person and dismiss any unpaid fines; and                      (C)  reimburse, out of existing funds, the person   for all legal fees incurred as a result of the investigation or   disciplinary or punitive action.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.