Bill Text: TX HB588 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to the regulation of the practice of physical therapy; authorizing fees.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-14 - Effective on 9/1/13 [HB588 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB588-Enrolled.html

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H.B. No. 588

AN ACT
relating to the regulation of the practice of physical therapy;
authorizing fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 453.151, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Information maintained by the executive council or the
board under this chapter regarding the home address or personal
telephone number of a person licensed under this chapter or a person
who is an owner or manager of a physical therapy facility registered
under this chapter is confidential and not subject to disclosure
under Chapter 552, Government Code. A person licensed under this
chapter or a person who is an owner or manager of a physical therapy
facility registered under this chapter must provide the board with
a business address or address of record that will be subject to
disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 2. Section 453.212, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 453.212. DISPLAY OF LICENSE [AND RENEWAL CERTIFICATE].
A license holder under this chapter shall display the license
holder's license [and renewal certificate] in a conspicuous place
in the principal office in which the license holder practices
physical therapy.
SECTION 3. Sections 453.252(b), (c), and (d), Occupations
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) A person whose license has been expired for 90 days or
less may renew the license by paying to the executive council the
renewal fee and a late fee set by the executive council in an amount
that does not exceed one-half [that is equal to half] of the amount
charged for examination for the license. If a person's license has
been expired for more than 90 days but less than one year, the
person may renew the license by paying to the executive council all
unpaid renewal fees and a late fee set by the executive council in
an amount that does not exceed [that is equal to] the amount charged
for examination for the license.
(c) A person whose license has been expired for one year or
longer must comply with the board's requirements and procedures to
reinstate the license and pay a reinstatement fee in the amount set
by the executive council [may not renew the license]. If the person
is unable to comply with the board's requirements to reinstate the
license, the [The] person may obtain a new license by submitting to
reexamination and complying with the requirements and procedures
for obtaining an original license.
(d) At least 30 days before the expiration of a person's
license, the executive council shall provide the person with [send
written] notice of the impending license expiration [to the person
at the person's last known address according to the records of the
executive council].
SECTION 4. Section 453.253, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 453.253. RENEWAL OF EXPIRED LICENSE BY OUT-OF-STATE
PRACTITIONER. (a) The board may renew without reexamination the
expired license of a person who was licensed to practice as a
physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in this state,
moved to another state, [and] is currently licensed and in good
standing [has been in practice] in the other state, and meets the
board's requirements for renewal [for the two years preceding
application].
(b) The person must pay to the executive council a renewal
fee set by the executive council in an amount that does not exceed
[that is equal to] the examination fee for the license.
SECTION 5. (a) Not later than December 1, 2013, the Texas
Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and the Executive Council of
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners shall adopt
rules and fees necessary to implement Sections 453.252 and 453.253,
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Sections 453.252 and 453.253, Occupations Code, as
amended by this Act, apply only to the renewal of a physical
therapist or physical therapist assistant license that expires on
or after December 1, 2013. A license that expires before that date
is governed by the law in effect on the date the license expires,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 588 was passed by the House on April
11, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 588 was passed by the Senate on May
20, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor