The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners adopts amendments to §§174.1-174.6, 174.10, 174.12-174.14 and new §174.17, concerning Telemedicine without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1792) and will not be republished.

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.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rules.

The amendment and new rule are adopted 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.