TITLE: Relating to the authority of certain local governmental entities in certain populous counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians.

SUMMARY: Relating to the authority of certain local governmental entities in certain populous counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the authority of certain local governmental entities in certain populous counties to appoint, contract for, or employ physicians. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 281.0283 to read as follows: Sec. 281.0283. HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT; EMPLOYMENT OF PHYSICIANS. (a) The board of the Harris County Hospital District may appoint, contract for, or employ physicians as the board considers necessary for the efficient operation of the district. (b) The term of an employment contract entered into under this section may not exceed four years. (c) A physician employed by the Harris County Hospital District under this section is subject to the same standards and procedures regarding credentialing, peer review, quality of care, and privileges as a physician not employed by the district. (d) This section may not be construed as authorizing the board of the Harris County Hospital District to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code. SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 351, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 351.045 to read as follows: Sec. 351.045. HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES; EMPLOYMENT OF PHYSICIANS. (a) The commissioners court of a county with a population of 3.3 million or more may appoint, contract for, or employ physicians to provide health care services to inmates in the custody of the sheriff. (b) This section may not be construed as authorizing the commissioners court to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code. SECTION 3. 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.