Bill Text: TX SB256 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

Texas Senate Bill 256 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to requiring a private autopsy facility to post a notice for filing a complaint against a physician; providing a penalty.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-17 - See remarks for effective date [SB256 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB256-Enrolled.html



	S.B. No. 256




	AN ACT
	relating to requiring a private autopsy facility to post a notice
	for filing a complaint against a physician; providing a penalty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 8, Health and Safety Code, is
	amended by adding Chapter 671A to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 671A. NOTICE REQUIRED AT PRIVATE AUTOPSY FACILITY
	Sec. 671A.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "private
	autopsy facility" means a facility that is owned or operated by a
	physician who performs autopsy services for a fee or that employs a
	physician to perform autopsy services for a fee, including autopsy
	services performed on the order of a justice of the peace. The term
	does not include a medical examiner's office.
	Sec. 671A.002. NOTICE FOR COMPLAINTS REQUIRED. (a) A
	private autopsy facility shall post a notice in a conspicuous place
	in a public area of the facility that substantially complies with
	the notice published by the Texas Medical Board under this section.
	(b) The notice must state in English and in Spanish that a
	person may file with the Texas Medical Board a complaint against a
	physician who performs autopsy services and must include the
	appropriate mailing address and telephone number of the Texas
	Medical Board for filing complaints against physicians.
	(c) The Texas Medical Board by rule shall adopt a sample
	form of the notice. The board shall publish the notice on the
	board's Internet website.
	Sec. 671A.003. CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO POST NOTICE.
	(a) A private autopsy facility commits an offense if the facility
	fails to post the notice required by this chapter.
	(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
	SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2012, the Texas Medical
	Board shall publish the notice as required by Section 671A.002,
	Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
	section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
	(b) Section 671A.003, Health and Safety Code, as added by
	this Act, takes effect January 1, 2012.





	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House

	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 256 passed the Senate on
	March 24, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.


	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate

	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 256 passed the House on
	May 20, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 149, Nays 0, one
	present not voting.


	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House



	Approved:

	______________________________
	Date


	______________________________
	Governor