87R7182 JES-F     By: Campos H.B. No. 1825       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to continuing education requirements for dentists   regarding pain management with certain prescription medications.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 257.005, Occupations Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), and   (g) to read as follows:          (b-1)  The board shall require a licensed dentist whose   practice includes direct patient care to complete, in accordance   with this section, not less than two hours of board-approved   continuing education [annually] regarding safe and effective pain   management related to the prescription of opioids and other   controlled substances, including education regarding:                (1)  reasonable standards of care;                (2)  the identification of drug-seeking behavior in   patients; and                (3)  effectively communicating with patients regarding   the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substance.          (d)  A dentist must complete the hours required by Subsection   (b-1) in each of the first two renewal periods following the   issuance of the dentist's initial license, with two of those hours   to be completed not later than the first anniversary of the date of   issuance.           (e)  After the period described by Subsection (d), a dentist   must complete not less than two hours of continuing education   described by Subsection (b-1) every eight years.          (f)  The hours required by this section may be completed in   any continuing education program approved by the board.          (g)  Notwithstanding Subsections (d) and (e), a dentist who   on September 1, 2021, holds a license to practice under this   subtitle shall complete not less than two hours of continuing   education described by Subsection (b-1) in each of the two renewal   periods occurring after that date. This subsection expires January   1, 2026.          SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than January 1, 2022, the State   Board of Dental Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to implement   Section 257.005, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.          (b)  Section 257.005, Occupations Code, as amended by this   Act, applies only to an application for renewal of a license   submitted on or after January 1, 2022. A renewal application   submitted before January 1, 2022, is governed by the law in effect   immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former   law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.