Bill > SB397

This bill requires state agencies that regulate health professionals providing telemedicine (remote medical services), teledentistry (remote dental services), or telehealth services to create standardized rules for patient consent documentation. The rules must specifically address consent formats for different types of remote health services, including provisions for consent in audio-only formats, and must be based on appropriate medical care standards. Importantly, the bill mandates that health professionals must conduct an in-person examination of a patient before initiating any irreversible medical procedure, which serves as a patient safety measure. These new regulatory requirements aim to ensure consistent and comprehensive patient consent processes across different types of remote healthcare services, with the new rules set to take effect on September 1, 2025. The bill seeks to provide clearer guidelines for consent and documentation in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape, balancing the convenience of remote services with the need for thorough patient evaluation and informed consent.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB397