The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners proposes amendments to §§174.1-174.6, 174.10, 174.12-174.14 and new §174.17, concerning Telemedicine. The amendments are necessary to clarify definitions and informed consent and for general cleanup of the chapter. New §174.17 concerns the use of the Internet in medical practice.

Michele Shackelford, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments are in effect there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing the rules as proposed.

Ms. Shackelford also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments as proposed are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be clarification and clean up of existing rules as well as a new rule regarding the internet in medical practice. There will be no effect on small or micro businesses.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Pat Wood, P.O. Box 2018, MC-901, Austin, Texas 78768-2018. A public hearing will be held at a later date.

The amendments and new rule are proposed under the authority of the Occupations Code Annotated, §153.001, which provides the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules and bylaws as necessary to: govern its own proceedings; perform its duties; regulate the practice of medicine in this state; and enforce this subtitle.

The following are affected by the proposed amendments and new rule: Texas Occupations Code Annotated, §§151.056; 164.001-.004; 164.051; 164.059.