H.B. No. 4353 AN ACT relating to the licensing of certain nurses who will practice in border counties. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 301.262 to read as follows: Sec. 301.262. SPECIAL LICENSE. (a) The board may issue a license under this section to a person licensed to practice nursing in Mexico if the person: (1) graduated from an accredited nursing program in Mexico; (2) provides a report acceptable to the board issued by a credentials evaluation service approved by the board; (3) applies on a form prescribed by the board and pays the fee required by the board; (4) has received a score of at least 475 on a Test of English as a Foreign Language examination; (5) has received a score acceptable to the board on an English language version of the appropriate National Council Licensure Examination; (6) is eligible for employment in the United States; and (7) will practice nursing in a county that borders Mexico. (b) A license issued under this section is valid for one year and may not be renewed. A person who holds or has held a license issued under this section may apply for another type of license under this chapter. (c) A person who holds a license issued under this section may practice nursing only as an employee of a hospital located in a county that borders Mexico. (d) A person who holds a license issued under this section is not entitled to a multistate licensing privilege to practice under the Nurse Licensure Compact under Chapter 304. (e) This section expires September 1, 2013. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 4353 was passed by the House on April 30, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 95, Nays 30, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 4353 was passed by the Senate on May 26, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor