Relating to rules regarding the provision by a health professional of a telemedicine medical service, teledentistry dental service, or telehealth service.
SB 397 requires Texas health regulatory agencies to create standardized rules for documenting patient consent related to telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth services. It mandates clear formats for consent on treatment, data collection, and data sharing, including options for audio-only consent documentation. The bill specifically requires health professionals to conduct an in-person examination before starting any irreversible medical procedure. This affects all telehealth providers in Texas, including doctors, dentists, and other health professionals offering remote services. The rules take effect September 1, 2025.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 20, 2024
Last action May 21, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kevin Sparks
RRepublican
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