Bill Text: TX SB961 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the authority of physicians and physician assistants to form certain entities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-21 - Left pending in committee [SB961 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB961-Introduced.html

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82R8579 SLB-F
By: Uresti S.B. No. 961

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of physicians and physician assistants to
form certain entities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 22, Business Organizations
Code, is amended by adding Section 22.0561 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.0561. CORPORATIONS FORMED BY PHYSICIANS AND
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. (a) Physicians licensed under Subtitle C,
Title 3, Occupations Code, and physician assistants licensed under
Chapter 204, Occupations Code, may form a corporation to perform a
professional service that falls within the scope of practice of
those practitioners and consists of:
(1) carrying out research in the public interest in
medical science, medical economics, public health, sociology, or a
related field;
(2) supporting medical education in medical schools
through grants or scholarships;
(3) developing the capabilities of individuals or
institutions studying, teaching, or practicing medicine or acting
as a physician assistant;
(4) delivering health care to the public; or
(5) instructing the public regarding medical science,
public health, hygiene, or a related matter.
(b) When physicians and physician assistants form a
corporation, the authority of each of the practitioners is limited
by the scope of practice of the respective practitioners. The
organizers of the entity shall ensure that a physician or
physicians control and manage the aspects of the entity relating to
the practice of medicine. The Texas Medical Board and the Texas
Physician Assistant Board continue to exercise regulatory
authority over their respective license holders according to
applicable law.
(c) Nothing in this section may be construed to allow the
practice of medicine by someone not licensed as a physician under
Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, or to allow a person not
licensed as a physician to direct the activities of a physician in
the practice of medicine.
(d) A physician assistant or combination of physician
assistants may have only a minority ownership interest in an entity
created under this section.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 152, Business
Organizations Code, is amended by adding Section 152.0551 to read
as follows:
Sec. 152.0551. PARTNERSHIPS FORMED BY PHYSICIANS AND
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. (a) Physicians licensed under Subtitle B,
Title 3, Occupations Code, and physician assistants licensed under
Chapter 204, Occupations Code, may create a partnership to perform
a professional service that falls within the scope of practice of
those practitioners.
(b) When physicians and physician assistants create a
partnership, the authority of each of the practitioners is limited
by the scope of practice of the respective practitioners. The
organizers of the entity shall ensure that a physician or
physicians control and manage the aspects of the entity relating to
the practice of medicine.
(c) Nothing in this section may be construed to allow the
practice of medicine by someone not licensed as a physician under
Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, or to allow a person not
licensed as a physician to direct the activities of a physician in
the practice of medicine.
(d) A physician assistant or combination of physician
assistants may have only a minority ownership interest in an entity
created under this section.
(e) The Texas Medical Board and the Texas Physician
Assistant Board continue to exercise regulatory authority over
their respective license holders according to applicable law.
SECTION 3. Section 301.012, Business Organizations Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and (a-3) to read as
follows:
(a-1) Persons licensed as physicians under Subtitle B,
Title 3, Occupations Code, and persons licensed as physician
assistants under Chapter 204, Occupations Code, may form and own a
professional association or a professional limited liability
company to perform professional services that fall within the scope
of practice of those practitioners.
(a-2) Nothing in this section may be construed to allow the
practice of medicine by someone not licensed as a physician under
Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, or to allow a person not
licensed as a physician to direct the activities of a physician in
the practice of medicine.
(a-3) A physician assistant or combination of physician
assistants may have only a minority ownership interest in an entity
created under this section.
SECTION 4. 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, 2011.