Relating to the verification of health care practitioner continuing education compliance through the establishment of continuing education tracking systems.

BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Many state agencies have not modernized their continuing education (CE) tracking systems. As a result, they continue to rely on outdated, paper-based legacy systems that lack transparency. This often creates delays among licensees regarding CE requirements and compliance. Furthermore, these inefficient systems consume valuable time and reduce productivity for licensing agencies and their staff. As the state's population grows and the number of licensed health care professionals in Texas rises, these already-strained legacy systems risk becoming unsustainable. S.B. 912 will require state health care licensing agencies to modernize their CE tracking systems and verify compliance before renewing licenses. By requiring state agencies to modernize their CE tracking, S.B. 912 enhances digital accessibility and helps address healthcare workforce shortages.

As proposed, S.B. 912 amends current law relating to the verification of health care practitioner continuing education compliance through the establishment of continuing education tracking systems.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to licensing entities that issue licenses to health care practitioners under Title 3, Health and Safety Code, except for licensing agencies under Subtitle L, Health and Safety Code, in SECTION 2 (Sections 112.104 and 112.106, Occupations Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Transfers Section 112.002, Occupations Code, to Subchapter B, Chapter 112, Occupations Code, redesignates it as Section 112.0501, Occupations Code, and amends it, as follows:

Sec. 112.0501. APPLICABILITY. Redesignates existing Section 112.002 as Section 112.0501. Provides that Subchapter B (Services Provided to Charities), rather than Chapter 112 (General Licensing Requirements Applicable), applies only to licensing entities and health care practitioners under certain chapters and subtitles.

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 112, Occupations Code, by adding Subchapter C, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER C. CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 112.101. DEFINITIONS. Defines "continuing education course," "continuing education provider," "continuing education tracking system," and "license."

Sec. 112.102. APPLICABILITY. (a) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b), this subchapter applies only to a licensing entity that issues a license to a health care practitioner under Title 3 (Health Professions).

(b) Provides that this subchapter does not apply to Subtitle L (Crematory Services, Funeral Directing, and Embalming).

Sec. 112.103.CONTINUING EDUCATION COMPLIANCE REQUIRED FOR LICENSE RENEWAL. (a) Prohibits a licensing entity, notwithstanding any other law, from renewing a health care practitioner's license unless the licensing entity verifies that the health care practitioner has complied with any continuing education requirements of the licensing entity.

(b) Provides that verification of a health care practitioner's compliance with continuing education requirements that the continuing education tracking system generates satisfies the requirement of Subsection (a) and is required to be used in the conduct of any audit of health care practitioners the licensing entity conducts.

(c) Provides that this section does not prohibit a licensing entity from imposing penalties under applicable statutes or rules for a health care practitioner's failure to comply with continuing education requirements.

Sec. 112.104. CONTINUING EDUCATION TRACKING SYSTEM. (a) Requires each licensing entity by rule to establish a continuing education tracking system for use by and accessible to health care practitioners, licensing entity staff, and continuing education providers.

(b) Prohibits a continuing education tracking system established under this subchapter from requiring any licensing entity expenditure.

Sec. 112.105. DATA AND SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS. (a) Provides that a continuing education tracking system is authorized to collect and use only certain information that directly relates to a health care practitioner's compliance with continuing education requirements and other information the licensing entity designates by rule as necessary for the system's performance of a function required by this subchapter.

(b) Requires that a continuing education tracking system established under Section 112.104, if the continuing education tracking system is a cloud-based system, be certified under the state risk and authorization management program established under Section 2054.0593 (Cloud Computing State Risk and Authorization Management Program), Government Code, and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.).

Sec. 112.106. RULEMAKING. Requires a licensing entity to adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.

SECTION 3. Requires each licensing entity, not later than September 1, 2026, to establish a continuing education tracking system as required by Section 112.104, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. Authorizes a licensing entity subject to Section 112.104(b), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, that on the effective date of this Act has an agreement in place with a continuing education tracking system provider that is able to implement the requirements of Subchapter C, Chapter 112, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, notwithstanding that section, to maintain that agreement and any costs associated with implementation of the agreement.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2025.