By: Creighton	S.B. No. 1794

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the requirement to obtain a license to practice as an
	anesthesiologists assistant; imposing fees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.Subtitle C, Title 3, Occupations Code, is amended
	by adding Chapter 207 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 207.  ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS
	Section 207.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
	(1)  "Anesthesiologist" means a physician licensed by the
	Texas Medical Board who specializes in anesthesiology.
	(2)  "Anesthesiologist assistant" means a person who holds a
	license issued under this chapter.
	(3)  "Medical board" means the Texas Medical Board.
	Section 207.002.  LICENSE REQUIRED.  A person may not
	practice as an anesthesiologist assistant in this state
	unless the person holds an anesthesiologist assistant
	license issued under this chapter.
	Section 207.003.  PRACTICE BY A LICENSE HOLDER.  (a)  An
	anesthesiologist assistant may assist the supervising
	anesthesiologist in developing and implementing an
	anesthesia care plan for a patient consistent with the rules
	adopted under this chapter.
	(b)  Assisting an anesthesiologist does not constitute the
	practice of medicine.
	(c)  Nothing in this chapter shall limit or expand the scope
	of practice of physician assistants under other statutes.
	Section 207.004.  USE OF TERM ANESTHESIOLOGIST
	ASSISTANT.  (a)  A person not licensed under this chapter
	that uses the title anesthesiologist assistant or holds
	themselves out to be an anesthesiologist assistant commits an
	administrative violation under the Occupations Code.
	(b)  A student in an anesthesiologist assistant training
	program shall be identified as a "student anesthesiologist
	assistant" or an "anesthesiologist assistant student." A
	student in an anesthesiologist assistant training program is
	prohibited from being identified as an "intern," "resident,"
	or "fellow."
	Section 207. 004.  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE; REQUIREMENTS.
	(a)  The medical board shall:
	(1)  Establish qualification for an anesthesiologist
	assistant to practice in this state;
	(2)  Establish requirements for an examination for a
	license to practice as an anesthesiologist
	assistant in this state;
	(3)  Establish minimum education and training
	requirements necessary for a license to practice
	as an anesthesiologist assistant;
	(4)  Prescribe the application form for a license to
	practice as an anesthesiologist assistant; and
	(5)  Develop an approved program of mandatory
	continuing education and the manner in which
	attendance at all approved courses, clinics,
	forums, lectures, programs, or seminars is
	monitored and recorded.
	(b)  As minimum requirements for licensure, the board shall
	ensure an applicant:
	(1)  is of good moral character;
	(2)  submits proof of completion of graduate level
	training program accredited by the Commission of
	Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
	or its successor organization;
	(3)  submits proof of current certification from the
	National Commission of Certification of
	Anesthesiologist Assistants or its successor
	organization, including passage of a
	certification examination administered by the
	National Commission of Certification of
	Anesthesiologist Assistants which must be taken
	within 12 months after completing training;
	(4)  pays the required application and licensing fees;
	and
	(5)  meets any additional qualifications for licensure
	adopted by the board by rule.
	Section 207.005.  LICENSE FEES.  The board shall set and collect
	fees in amounts that are reasonable and necessary to cover the costs
	of administering and enforcing this chapter without the use of any
	other funds generated by the medical board.
	Section 207.06.  BOARD RULES.  The board shall adopt rules to
	implement this chapter that include requirements and limitations on
	the provision of anesthesia services by an anesthesiologist
	assistant as determined by the board to be in the best interests of
	patient health and safety.  Rules adopted by the board shall include
	the following requirements:
	(a)  an anesthesiologist assistant be supervised by an
	anesthesiologist who is actively engaged in clinical
	practice and available on-site to provide assistance to
	the anesthesiologist assistant;
	(b)  limitations on the number of anesthesiologist
	assistants and student anesthesiologist assistants an
	anesthesiologist may supervise as determined by the
	Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and
	(c)  anesthesiologist assistants shall comply with all
	continuing education requirements and recertification
	requirements of the National Commission for
	Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants or its
	successor organization.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies to an application for an
	anesthesiologist assistant submitted on or after the effective date
	of this Act.  Applications submitted prior to that date are governed
	by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of
	this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable as the effective date of this
	Act, the Texas Medical Board shall adopt all rules necessary to
	implement Chapter 207 as adopted by this Act.
	(d)  SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.