Source: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/February152019/Proposed%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html
Timestamp: 2019-08-26 00:38:50
Document Index: 475629329

Matched Legal Cases: ['§183', '§183', '§183', '§205', '§183', '§183', '§213', '§213', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§213', '§2001', '§301', '§2006', '§2001', '§11', '§301', '§301', '§213', '§213', '§213', '§301', '§2001', '§571', '§2006', '§801', '§801', '§577']

22 TAC §183.20
The Texas Medical Board (Board) proposes amendments to §183.20, concerning Continuing Acupuncture Education.
The proposed amendments to §183.20 change the CAE requirements so that hours from courses that relate to business practices and office administration will be optional rather than required. Further amendments are proposed so that the number of required core hours in the topics of ethics and safety will be reduced from four to two.
The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing this section will be to improve clarity with respect to the number of continuing education hours and topics that are required to maintain licensure and those that are optional.
Scott Freshour, General Counsel for the Board, has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing this proposal will be as stated above.
The amendments are proposed under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code Annotated, §205.101, which provides authority for the Board to recommend rules to establish licensing and other fees and recommend rules necessary to administer and enforce Chapter 205.
§183.20.Continuing Acupuncture Education.
(A) at [At] least eight hours shall be in general acupuncture therapies;[.]
(B) at [At] least two [four] of the required hours shall be from a course in ethics and safety;[.]
(C) at [At] least six of the required hours shall be in herbology; and[.]
(D) at [At] least four hours of biomedicine.
[(E) At least four of the required hours shall be in courses that primarily relate to business practices or office administration.]
(3) The remaining CAE hours may be from other courses approved under paragraph (1) of this subsection, subject to the limitations under paragraphs (5) through [and] (7) [(6)] of this subsection.
(6) [(5)] No more than a total of 16 hours completed under paragraph (1)(D) or (E) of this subsection may be applied to the total hours required each registration period.
(7) [(6)] At least 18 hours applied to the total hours required each registration period must be approved under paragraph (1)(A) - (C) of this subsection.
(2) A person or organization may be issued only one provider number. When two or more approved providers co-sponsor a course, the course shall be identified by only one provider number and that provider shall assume responsibility for recordkeeping, advertising, issuance of certificates and instructor(s) qualifications.
(3) An approved provider shall offer CAE programs that are presented or instructed by persons who meet the minimum criteria as described in subsection (t) of this section.
(4) An approved provider shall keep the following records for a period of four years in one identified location:
(A) course [Course] outlines of each course given;[.]
(B) record [Record] of time and places of each course given;[.]
(C) course [Course] instructor curriculum vitaes or resumes;[.]
(D) the [The] attendance record for each course; and[.]
(E) participant [Participant] evaluation forms for each course given.
(5) An approved provider shall submit to the board the following within ten days of the board's request:
(A) a [A] copy of the attendance record showing the name, signature and license number of any licensed acupuncturists who attended the course; and[.]
(B) the [The] participant evaluation forms of the course.
(6) Approved providers shall issue, within 60 days of the conclusion of a course, to each participant who has completed the course, a certificate of completion that contains the following information:
(A) provider's [Provider's] name and number;[.]
(B) course [Course] title;[.]
(C) participant's [Participant's] name and, if applicable, his or her acupuncture license number;[.]
(D) date [Date] and location of course;[.]
(E) number [Number] of continuing education hours completed;[.]
(F) description [Description] of hours indicating whether hours completed are in general acupuncture, ethics, herbology, biomedicine, or practice management; and[.]
(G) statement [Statement] directing the acupuncturist to retain the certificate for at least four years from the date of completion of the course.
(7) Approved providers shall notify the board within 30 days of any changes in organizational structure of a provider and/or the person(s) responsible for the provider's continuing education course, including name, address, or telephone number changes.
(8) Provider approval is non-transferable.
(9) The board may audit during reasonable business hours records, courses, instructors and related activities of an approved provider.
(t) Instructors.
(1) Minimum qualifications of an acupuncturist instructor. The instructor must:
(A) hold a current valid license to practice acupuncture in Texas or other state and be free of any disciplinary order or probation by a state licensing authority; and
(B) be knowledgeable, current and skillful in the subject matter of the course as evidenced through one of the following:
(i) hold a minimum of a master's degree from an accredited college or university or a post-secondary educational institution, with a major in the subject directly related to the content of the program to be presented;
(ii) have experience in teaching similar subject matter content within the last two years in the specialized area in which he or she is teaching;
(iii) have at least one year's experience within the last two years in the specialized area in which he or she is teaching; or
(iv) have graduated from an acceptable acupuncture school, as defined under §183.2(2) of this title, and have completed 3 years of professional experience in the licensed practice of acupuncture.
(2) Minimum qualifications of a non-acupuncturist instructor. The instructor must:
(A) be currently licensed or certified in his or her area of expertise if appropriate;
(B) show written evidence of specialized training or experience, which may include, but not be limited to, a certificate of training or an advanced degree in a given subject area; and
(C) have at least one year's teaching experience within the last two years in the specialized area in which he or she teaches.
(u) CAE Credit for Course Instruction. Instructors of board-approved CAE courses or courses taught through a program offered by an approved provider for CAE credit may receive three hours of CAE credit for each hour of lecture, not to exceed six hours of continuing education credit per year, regardless of how many hours taught. Participation as a member of a panel presentation for the approved course shall not entitle the participant to earn CAE credit as an instructor. No CAE credit shall be granted to school faculty members as credit for their regular teaching assignments.
(v) Expiration, Denial and Withdrawal of Approval.
(1) Approval of any CAE course shall expire three years after the date of approval.
(2) The board may withdraw its approval of a provider or deny an application for approval if the provider is convicted of a crime substantially related to the activities of a provider.
(3) Any material misrepresentation of fact by a provider or applicant in any information required to be submitted to the board is grounds for withdrawal of approval or denial of an application.
(4) The board may withdraw its approval of a provider after giving the provider written notice setting forth its reasons for withdrawal and after giving the provider a reasonable opportunity to be heard by the board or its designee.
(5) Should the board deny approval of a provider, the provider may appeal the action by filing a letter stating the reason(s) with the board. The letter of appeal shall be filed with the board within ten days of the mailing of the applicant's notification of the board's denial. The appeal shall be considered by the board.
(w) An acupuncturist, who is a military service member, may request an extension of time, not to exceed two years, to complete any CAE requirements.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 1, 2019.
TRD-201900321
Earliest possible date of adoption: March 17, 2019
22 TAC §213.33
The Texas Board of Nursing (Board) proposes amendments to §213.33, relating to Factors Considered for Imposition of Penalties/Sanctions. The amendments are being proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code §301.461 and §301.151 and are necessary to conform to statutory mandates and eliminate redundant language from the rule.
The Texas Legislature adopted House Bill (HB) 2950 during the 85th Regular Legislative Session. HB 2950 amended the Occupations Code §301.461 (Nursing Practice Act) to prohibit the Board from imposing upon an applicant or licensee the costs of an administrative hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). The proposed amendments are necessary to conform to this statutory requirement. The proposed amendments also eliminate redundant language from the section and clarify the use of the Board's Disciplinary Matrix.
How the Sections Will Function.
The proposed amendments only affect subsection (b) and (e) of the section. Subsection (b) contains the Board's Disciplinary Matrix. The proposed amendments eliminate redundant language from the preamble of the Disciplinary Matrix. The proposed amendments also clarify that the Board and SOAH must consider the requirements of the Occupations Code §301.4531 in matters involving multiple violations or individuals with prior discipline. In such cases, §301.4531 requires the Board to consider taking a more severe disciplinary action than would typically be taken for a single violation or if the individual was not previously the subject of disciplinary action. No other changes are proposed to the Board's Disciplinary Matrix.
The proposed amendments to §213.33(e)(12) eliminate the assessment of costs, as they relate to a contested case hearing at SOAH, from the rule. Potential appellate costs authorized by the Government Code §2001.177 are not affected by the proposal.
Public Benefit/Cost Note. Ms. Thomas has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, the anticipated public benefit will be the adoption of a rule that is easily understood and conforms to the statutory requirements of §301.461.
There are no anticipated costs of compliance associated with the proposal. On the contrary, the proposal may result in cost savings to some individuals. Specifically, the proposal prohibits the Board from imposing the costs associated with a contested case hearing at SOAH upon applicants and licensees. For these individuals, the proposal may result in cost savings. There are no anticipated costs associated with the editorial changes intended to clarify the existing rule text.
Economic Impact Statement and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Small and Micro Businesses and Rural Communities. The Government Code §2006.002(c) and (f) require that, if a proposed rule may have an economic impact on small businesses or micro businesses or rural communities, state agencies must prepare, as part of the rulemaking process, an economic impact statement that assesses the potential impact of the proposed rule on these businesses and communities and a regulatory flexibility analysis that considers alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the rule. Section 2006.002(c-1) requires that the regulatory analysis "consider, if consistent with the health, safety, and environmental and economic welfare of the state, using regulatory methods that will accomplish the objectives of applicable rules while minimizing adverse impacts on small businesses." Therefore, an agency is not required to consider alternatives that, while possibly minimizing adverse impacts on small and micro businesses, would not be protective of the health, safety, and environmental and economic welfare of the state.
The proposal does not impose any costs on any entity regulated by the Board. As such, the Board is not required to prepare an economic impact statement or regulatory flexibility analysis.
Government Growth Impact Statement. The Board is required, pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §2001.0221 and 34 TAC §11.1, to prepare a government growth impact statement. The Board has determined for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments will be in effect: (i) the proposal does not create or eliminate a government program; (ii) implementation of the proposal does not require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions, as the proposal is not expected to have an effect on existing agency positions; (iii) implementation of the proposal does not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the Board, as the proposal is not expected to have an effect on existing agency positions; (iv) the proposal does not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the Board; (v) the proposal does not create a new regulation; (vi) the proposal amends an existing regulation consistent with statutory mandate; (vii) the proposal does not change the number of individuals subject to the rule; and (viii) the proposal does not have an effect on the state's economy.
Request for Public Comment. Comments on this proposal may be submitted to James W. Johnston, General Counsel, Texas Board of Nursing, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460, Austin, Texas 78701, or by email to dusty.johnston@bon.texas.gov, or faxed to (512) 305-8101. Comments must be received no later than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this proposal. If a hearing is held, written and oral comments presented at the hearing will be considered.
Statutory Authority. The amendments are proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code §301.151 and §301.461.
Section 301.461 states that the Board may not assess a person who is found to have violated Chapter 301 the administrative costs of conducting a hearing to determine the violation.
§213.33.Factors Considered for Imposition of Penalties/Sanctions.
(b) The Disciplinary Matrix is as follows:
Figure: 22 TAC §213.33(b) (.pdf)
[Figure: 22 TAC §213.33(b)]
(e) The Board may, upon the finding of a violation, enter an order imposing one or more of the following disciplinary actions, with or without probationary stipulations:
(12) Assessment of costs as authorized by [the Occupations Code §301.461 and] the Government Code §2001.177; and/or
TRD-201900323
The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Board) proposes amendments to §571.61, concerning Inactive License Status.
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to comply with statutory requirements by removing limitations on the time a license holder may remain on inactive status. The amendments also remove excess language in order to clarify the time period for requesting that a license be placed on inactive status and the payment of associated fees.
John Helenberg, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years that the rule is in effect, there are no anticipated increases or reductions in costs to the state and local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the amended rule.
Mr. Helenberg has also determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the anticipated public benefit will be that the rule complies with statutory requirements.
Mr. Helenberg has determined that there are no anticipated adverse economic effects on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities as a result of the rule. Thus, the Board is not required to prepare an economic impact statement or a regulatory flexibility analysis pursuant to §2006.002, Government Code.
For the first five years that the rule as amended would be in effect, it is estimated that the rule would not create or eliminate a government program; implementation of the rule would not require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; implementation of the rule would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; the rule would not require an increase in the fees paid to the agency; the rule would not create a new regulation; the rule would not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; the rule would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; and the rule would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners invites comments on the proposed amendments to the rule from any interested persons, including any member of the public. A written statement should be mailed or delivered to Valerie Mitchell, Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Ste. 3-810, Austin, Texas 78701-3942, by facsimile (FAX) to (512) 305-7574, or by email to Valerie.mitchell@veterinary.texas.gov. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication in the Texas Register. Comments must be received within 30 days after publication of this proposal in order to be considered.
The rule is proposed under the authority of §801.151(a), Occupations Code, which states that the Board may adopt rules necessary to administer the chapter, and the authority of §801.306, Occupations Code, which states that the Board may provide for the placement of a license holder on inactive status, but may not include a limit on the time a license holder may remain on inactive status.
(2) a request in writing, on the form prescribed by the Board, is made for his or her license to be placed on official inactive status.[; and]
[(3) the original request is made during the annual license renewal period within three months prior to the first day of the licensee's birth month; provided however, that subsequent requests for continued inactive status may be accepted by the Board at any time during the renewal year if accompanied by the appropriate delinquent penalty.]
(2) A licensee on inactive status must pay the reactivation fee set by the Board. [A licensee on inactive status must pay the total annual renewal fee, less the amount of the inactive annual renewal fee, plus a $25 administrative processing fee to obtain a regular license.] The regular annual renewal fee shall not be prorated for applications to return to active status made after the annual renewal period.
[(e) Cancellation of Inactive License. A license maintained on inactive status will be automatically cancelled at the end of nine consecutive years. A new license will be issued only upon completion of all requirements for licensure. During the ninth consecutive year of inactive status, the Board will notify the inactive licensee that during the following year, his or her license must be on regular status or the license will be cancelled.]
(e) [(f)] Annual Renewal Fees. The annual fee for a license on inactive status shall be as set by the Board in §577.15 of this title (relating to Fee Schedule).
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 4, 2019.
TRD-201900326