HB2475 - Relating to medical education coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias.

  89R9350 DNC-D     By: Simmons H.B. No. 2475       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to medical education coursework in cultural competence and   implicit bias.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.310 to read as follows:           Sec.   51.310.     CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS MEDICAL   EDUCATION COURSEWORK. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                 (2)     "Cultural competence" and "implicit bias" have the   meanings assigned by Section 153.017, Occupations Code.                 (3)     "Medical school" has the meaning assigned by   Section 61.501.           (b)     The coordinating board by rule shall require a medical   school to offer coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias   approved by the Texas Medical Board under Section 153.017(b),   Occupations Code.           (c)     A medical school may not award a student a doctor of   medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree   unless the student has successfully completed the number of hours   of coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias required by   coordinating board rule.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 153, Occupations Code, is   amended by adding Section 153.017 to read as follows:           Sec.   153.017.     COURSEWORK IN CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND   IMPLICIT BIAS. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Cultural competence" means, with respect to   health care, the ability to effectively address the health issues   of individuals from diverse backgrounds by applying knowledge,   empathy, and insight into the views on health that those   backgrounds present.                 (2)  "Implicit bias" means:                       (A)     bias in judgment or behavior that results   from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit attitudes and   stereotypes, that often operate at a level below conscious   awareness and without intentional control; or                       (B)     implicit attitudes and stereotypes that   result in beliefs or simple associations that a person makes   between an object and its evaluation that are automatically   activated by the mere presence, actual or symbolic, of the attitude   object.           (b)     The board by rule shall approve coursework in cultural   competence and implicit bias for purposes of Section 51.310,   Education Code.           (c)  Coursework approved under Subsection (b) must be:                 (1)     designed to address medical decisions and   treatment relating to a person's race, ethnicity, nationality,   language, sex, gender, physical and mental ability, and   socioeconomic status; and                 (2)  developed in consultation with:                       (A)     the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board; and                       (B)     the Association of American Medical Colleges   or another nationally recognized organization that reviews medical   school curricula.          SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Medical Board shall   adopt the rules necessary to implement this Act.          SECTION 4.  Section 51.310(c), Education Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to a student who enrolls in a doctor of   medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree   program on or after January 1, 2026.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.