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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB627

Regular Session

Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB627: Government Affairs Overview

SB627 formally eliminates the "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" (PLD) designation from the Texas Occupations Code and strengthens enforcement mechanisms for license renewals. Healthcare facilities and dietary practices must immediately purge "Provisional" terminology from credentialing systems and ensure all employed dietitians hold full licensure, as the provisional category will cease to exist legally.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01

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SB627
Low
Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Commission of Licensing an...TDLR
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Recommended internal deadline to finalize HR and contract audits prior to the law taking effect).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) will likely amend administrative rules to align with the statute. However, the removal of the PLD title is statutory and self-executing; do not wait for agency guidance to update your internal titles.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Audit: Run a report of all staff with "Provisional" or "PLD" in their job title or license field.
  • Verify: Confirm all identified staff hold a valid "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) credential via the TDLR public search.
  • Purge: Remove "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" from all marketing materials, name badges, and website team pages.
  • Notify: Issue a memo to Accounts Payable to verify "clear standing" (no unpaid fines) before cutting checks for employee license renewals.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Staffing MSAs: Review Master Service Agreements with third-party medical staffing agencies. You must amend these to explicitly require fully "Licensed Dietitians" (LD). Reject any clauses allowing for "provisional" staff, as this legal status is being voided.
  • Employment Agreements: Remove any legacy clauses in standard contracts referencing supervision requirements for provisional licensees.

Hiring/Training

  • Job Descriptions: Audit all open and standing job requisitions. Remove "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" or "PLD" as an acceptable qualification.
  • Title Usage: Instruct staff to remove "PLD" from email signatures, business cards, and patient charts. Continued use of this title after September 1, 2025, constitutes a misrepresentation under the Occupations Code.
  • Credentialing: Verify that any legacy employee historically hired as a PLD has completed their upgrade to full Licensed Dietitian (LD) status in the TDLR database.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • HR Classification: Update internal HR information systems (HRIS). Reclassify any employee currently coded as "Provisional" to "Licensed Dietitian" (if qualified) or a non-licensed support role.
  • Renewal Blocks: The law grants TDLR statutory authority to refuse license renewal if the licensee has unpaid administrative penalties. If your organization pays renewal fees on behalf of employees, implement a check to ensure the employee has no outstanding fines before processing payment.

Fees & Costs

  • No New Fees: There are no increases in licensing fees.
  • Cost Impact: Minimal administrative cost associated with updating internal documents and digital assets.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Fitness" Requirement Removal: Section 1 removes the word "fitness" from the TDLR’s mandate to establish qualifications. Do not interpret this as a relaxation of background check standards. TDLR retains broad authority under Chapter 53 of the Occupations Code to deny licensure based on criminal history. Maintain your current internal background check protocols; do not lower your hiring standards based on this statutory deletion.
  • Penalty Standardization: The bill shifts penalty enforcement to Subchapter F, Chapter 51. This signals that dietitians will be subject to the standard, rigorous TDLR enforcement matrix. Expect stricter adherence to fine schedules and less leniency on procedural violations.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Dec 16, 2024
Passed Senate
Mar 11, 2025
Passed House
May 21, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsOccupational RegulationOccupational Regulation--other Trades & ProfessionsDietetics & DietitiansLicensing & Regulation, Texas Commission ofLicensing & Regulation, Texas Department of
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. Gary VandeaverRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB627

Q

What does Texas SB627 do?

SB627 formally eliminates the "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" (PLD) designation from the Texas Occupations Code and strengthens enforcement mechanisms for license renewals. Healthcare facilities and dietary practices must immediately purge "Provisional" terminology from credentialing systems and ensure all employed dietitians hold full licensure, as the provisional category will cease to exist legally.

Q

Who authored SB627?

SB627 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB627 signed into law?

SB627 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB627?

SB627 is enforced by Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB627?

The regulatory priority for SB627 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB627?

The cost impact of SB627 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB627 address?

SB627 addresses topics including occupational regulation, occupational regulation--other trades & professions, dietetics & dietitians, licensing & regulation, texas commission of and licensing & regulation, texas department of.

Q

What are the key dates for SB627?

Key dates for SB627: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026