HB 258 — Endometriosis screening and diagnosis guidelines

90R434 KRM-D By: Plesa H.B. No. 258 relating to endometriosis screening and diagnosis guidelines and continuing medical education.

SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 100B to read as follows: CHAPTER 100B. ENDOMETRIOSIS Sec. 100B.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "board" means the Texas Medical Board. Sec. 100B.002. SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS GUIDELINES. (a) The board, in collaboration with the department, shall: (1) develop evidence-based endometriosis screening and diagnosis guidelines; and (2) post the guidelines on a publicly accessible webpage of the board's Internet website. (b) The board must update the guidelines described by Subsection (a) at least once every five years to incorporate any emerging medical evidence or discoveries. Sec. 100B.003. REPORT. (a) At least once every five years, the board shall prepare and deliver to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives a written report on: (1) the status and content of the guidelines described by Section 100B.002 and compliance with the continuing medical education described by Section 156.062, Occupations Code; and (2) contemporary statistics on screening and diagnostic timelines for endometriosis patients. (a-1) The initial report required under Subsection (a) must be delivered not later than December 1, 2028. (b) This section expires September 1, 2040.

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 156.062 to read as follows: Sec. 156.062. CONTINUING EDUCATION ON ENDOMETRIOSIS SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS. (a) A physician licensed under this subtitle who submits an application for renewal of a license to practice medicine and whose practice includes reproductive health is encouraged to include continuing medical education on endometriosis screening and diagnosis among the hours of continuing medical education completed for purposes of rules adopted under Section 156.051(a)(2). (b) The board shall adopt rules to establish the content of and approval requirements for continuing medical education on endometriosis screening and diagnosis. In adopting rules, the board shall base the course content and requirements on the guidelines developed under Section 100B.002, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2028, the Texas Medical Board shall: (1) in collaboration with the Department of State Health Services, establish the guidelines required by Section 100B.002, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and (2) adopt the rules required by Section 156.062, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.