• TBCE Sunset Bill (SB 304)
- PASSED. SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
- This bill clarifies that DCs may lawfully diagnose the biomechanical condition of the spine and musculoskeletal system of the human body. It also eliminates facility registration (and associated fees), streamlines the complaint and investigations process, and continues TBCE as a state agency for 12 years.
- TCA also successfully opposed the consolidation of TBCE into the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the total elimination of chiropractic acupuncture.
• Professional Associations (SB 679)
- PASSED. SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
- This bill allows DCs to form business entities with physicians and podiatrists. It was one of the first bills to pass the Senate but was held up in the House for political reasons unrelated to the bill itself. After finally being referred to committee, the bill was considered in the House Public Health Committee final hearing and passed unanimously. It was then held hostage in the Calendars Committee. TCA’s lobby team rescued the bill in the eleventh hour. The bill passed in the House on the last day of eligibility.
• Removal from Play (HB 3024)
- PASSED. SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
- This bill allows a DC to remove a student athlete from a UIL competition or practice upon a suspected concussion.
- This bill passed in the House and was transmitted to the Senate, where it was considered in committee and passed unanimously. It was recommended for easy passage on the Local and Uncontested Calendar, but was unceremoniously removed from that calendar by a Senator hoping to amend the bill and use it as a vehicle to pass a separate piece of legislation. TCA worked to avert a crisis and the bill passed in the final days of the session.
• Prohibition of Extrapolation in Post-Payment Audits (HB 1649)
- DID NOT PASS.
- Passed in House of Representatives but did not move in Senate. This bill would have prohibited insurance carriers from using extrapolation in post payment audits.
- The Senate Business and Commerce Committee refused to hear it. Notably, the bill was co-authored by two medical physicians.
- DID NOT PASS.
- Passed in House of Representatives but did not move in Senate. This bill would have added a DC to the Combative Sports Advisory Board at TDLR. It passed in the House, but failed in the Senate when time ran out.
• Notification of Right to Choose DC in Workers’ Comp (HB 3702)
- DID NOT PASS.
- Passed in House of Representatives but did not move in Senate. This bill would have required the Office of Injured Employee Counsel to better notify injured employees of their right to choose a DC as their treating doctor. It passed in the House of Representatives but died in the Senate when time ran out.
