| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral |
Summary: SB 141 would streamline Texas’ process for providing orthotics and prosthetics licenses. Currently in Texas, students cannot obtain a student registration certificate for orthotics or prosthetics until they have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree from certain qualified orthotics or prosthetics programs. This differs from other states where students can begin working to get a student registration certificate while still in school.
SB 141 changes law to say anyone with a bachelor’s degree “or graduate degree,” from one of these qualified institutions can receive a certificate. SB 141 also amends law to say that a person currently working toward a graduate degree in orthotics and prosthetics can receive a certificate, whereas now, they cannot. SB 141, however, would not allow a person currently working toward a bachelor’s degree to receive a certificate before graduating.
Analysis: SB 141 makes a beneficial clarification in law that people with a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree in orthotics can be certified. It would also allow a person working toward a graduate degree to work toward certification while they are still in school, allowing them to knock out several requirements at once. Clarifying these requirements provides a small limit on government by promoting transparency, and allowing graduate students to gain certifications more quickly. We support SB 141.