All Roll Calls
Yes: 425 • No: 12
TexasSB 131889th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Relating to restrictions on covenants not to compete for physicians and certain health care practitioners.
Sponsored By: Greg Bonnen, Suleman Lalani, Charles Schwertner (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Business & Commerce--GeneralHealth Care ProvidersLabor--GeneralOccupational Regulation--Health OccupationsDENTISTS & DENTISTRYNURSES & NURSE AIDESPHYSICIAN ASSISTANTSPHYSICIANS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Noncompete limits protect more Texas practitioners
Texas limits practice-related noncompetes made or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, for licensed dentists, nurses, and physician assistants. Covered workers include Texas-licensed dentists, professional or vocational nurses, and physician assistants. Agreements must offer a buyout capped at the practitioner’s total annual salary and wages when employment or the contract ends. Restrictions must end within one year and cover no more than five miles from the practitioner’s main practice location before termination. Terms must be clear and easy to notice in writing.
Stronger noncompete protections for Texas physicians
Texas limits medical-practice noncompetes for Texas Medical Board-licensed physicians in agreements made or renewed on or after September 1, 2025. Noncompetes must offer a buyout capped at the physician’s total annual salary and wages when employment or the contract ends. Restrictions must end within one year and cover no more than five miles from the physician’s main practice location before termination. Terms must be clear and easy to notice in writing. A noncompete is void after involuntary discharge without good cause. Good cause means a reasonable basis tied directly to conduct, job performance, or the contract or employment record. Agreements must preserve access to lists of patients seen or treated in the year before termination. With patient permission, physicians must also have access to those patients’ medical records, including copies for a reasonable Texas Medical Board-set fee. After termination, record and list formats cannot be changed unless both parties agree. Agreements must allow continued treatment of a specific patient during an acute illness after termination. These medical-practice rules do not cover managing or directing medical services in an administrative role.
One legal framework governs noncompete disputes
For noncompetes made or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, Texas makes its statutory rules the exclusive legal framework. The law’s enforcement standards, dispute procedures, and remedies replace other law, including common law. This gives parties one framework but limits their ability to rely on other legal rules. Noncompetes must be tied to an otherwise enforceable agreement when made. Their limits on time, location, and work must reasonably protect goodwill or other business interests.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Greg Bonnen
House
Suleman Lalani
House
Charles Schwertner
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Kevin Sparks
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 126 • No: 12
House vote • 5/22/2025
Record vote
Yes: 142 • No: 0
House vote • 5/22/2025
Record vote
Yes: 141 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Public Health
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Health & Human Services
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateReported enrolled
5/29/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
5/29/2025HouseRecord vote
5/28/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)
5/28/2025SenateRead
5/28/2025SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
5/28/2025SenateHouse passage as amended reported
5/23/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/23/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3349)
5/23/2025HousePassed
5/23/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/23/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/22/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3272)
5/22/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading as amended
5/22/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/22/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3271)
5/22/2025HouseAmended (1-Bonnen)
5/22/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/22/2025HousePlaced on General State Calendar
5/21/2025HouseConsidered in Calendars
5/19/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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