88R274 BEE-F     By: Paxton S.B. No. 415       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to continuing education requirements for physicians   regarding the identification and assistance of trafficked persons.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 156.060, Occupations Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 156.060.  CONTINUING EDUCATION REGARDING THE   IDENTIFICATION AND ASSISTANCE OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS [IN HUMAN   TRAFFICKING PREVENTION]. (a) This section applies only to a   physician who designates a direct patient care practice on an   application for renewal of a registration permit.          (b)  A physician licensed under this subtitle who submits an   application for renewal of a registration permit [and who   designates a direct patient care practice] must complete at least   one hour of continuing medical education under this section   regarding the identification and assistance of trafficked persons:                (1)  in the first renewal period following the issuance   of the physician's initial registration permit under this chapter;   and                 (2)  if the board approves more than one course under   Subsection (d), at least once in every third renewal period   following the renewal period described by Subdivision (1)[, as part   of the hours of continuing medical education required for   compliance with Section 156.051(a)(2), a human trafficking   prevention course approved by the executive commissioner of the   Health and Human Services Commission under Section 116.002].          (c) [(b)]  The hours [board shall designate the human   trafficking prevention course] required by Subsection (b):                (1)  must be designated by the board [(a)] as [a]   medical ethics or professional responsibility education; and                (2)  may be counted toward the hours of [course for   purposes of complying with] continuing medical education required   by Section 156.051(a)(2).          (d) [(c)]  The board shall adopt rules to implement this   section, including rules to establish the content of and approval   requirements for continuing medical education relating to the   identification and assistance of trafficked persons. In adopting   rules, the board shall seek input from affected parties and review   relevant courses, including courses that have been approved in   other states. Rules adopted under this section must provide for the   identification and approval of accredited continuing medical   education courses that represent an appropriate spectrum of   relevant information relating to the identification and assistance   of trafficked persons.          (e)  A physician may satisfy the requirement of Subsection   (b)(1) by completing at least one hour of a training course approved   by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services   Commission under Section 116.002. This subsection expires   September 1, 2025.          (f)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a physician who on   September 1, 2023, holds a license to practice medicine under this   subtitle shall complete at least one hour of continuing medical   education under this section regarding the identification and   assistance of trafficked persons. This subsection expires January   1, 2024.          SECTION 2.  Section 156.060, Occupations Code, as amended by   this Act, applies only to an application for renewal of a   registration permit to practice medicine submitted on or after the   effective date of this Act. A renewal application submitted before   the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on   the date the application was submitted, and the former law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.