Simmons Bill Makes Implicit Bias Hours Required For Medical Degrees

The text as introduced · 478 words

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.