83R7968 KKR-D
By: Uresti S.B. No. 1754
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certification and recertification requirements for
emergency services personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (m) to read as follows:
(m) The advisory council shall create and provide to the
commissioner a list of recommended standardized training programs
and standardized certification examinations to be used by the
department to create a statewide standardized training and
examination program for emergency medical services personnel. The
council shall ensure that:
(1) each included standardized training program is
consistent with the emergency medical services education standards
of the United States Department of Transportation or of another
emergency medical services agency specified by the commissioner;
and
(2) each included standardized certification
examination:
(A) examines material comparable to the material
examined in tests conducted by national testing organizations that
certify emergency medical services personnel;
(B) is based on the education standards described
in Subdivision (1);
(C) includes procedures to test practical skills
proficiency; and
(D) is certified as valid by an organization the
council determines is capable of determining testing procedure and
testing content validity.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0541 to read as follows:
Sec. 773.0541. CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. (a) The
commissioner shall consider and approve not more than three
statewide standardized certification examinations that are
included in the list recommended by the advisory council under
Section 773.012(m) for the certification and recertification of
emergency medical services personnel. A standardized
certification examination approved by the commissioner must meet
the requirements specified in that subsection.
(b) In establishing minimum standards under Section
773.050, the commissioner shall establish standards for the
recertification of emergency medical services personnel that
include the following options:
(1) passing an examination approved by the
commissioner;
(2) completing the continuing education requirements
established by the department, which may not exceed the maximum
number of education hours required for initial certification;
(3) holding a current certification issued by a
national certification organization approved by the commissioner;
and
(4) successfully completing a formal recertification
course that complies with the minimum hours and standards
established by the department.
SECTION 3. Section 773.056, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 773.056. APPROVAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMS; CERTIFICATION
OF INSTRUCTORS, EXAMINERS, AND COORDINATORS. (a) The department
shall approve one or more statewide standardized training programs
that:
(1) are included in the list recommended by the
advisory council under Section 773.012(m);
(2) are consistent with the emergency medical services
education standards of the United States Department of
Transportation or of another emergency medical services agency
specified by the commissioner; and
(3) meet [each course or training program that meets]
the minimum standards adopted under Section 773.050.
(b) The department shall issue a certificate to each program
instructor, examiner, or course coordinator who meets the [minimum]
standards adopted under Subsection (a) [Section 773.050]. The
certificate is valid for two years. The department shall charge a
fee of not more than $10 to replace a lost or stolen certificate.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than March 1, 2014, the advisory
council appointed under Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, shall compile and provide to the commissioner of
state health services the list of standardized training programs or
standardized certification examinations for emergency medical
services personnel as required by Section 773.012(m), Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2014, the commissioner of
state health services shall approve a statewide standardized
certification examination for emergency medical services personnel
as required by Section 773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by
this Act.
(c) Not later than September 1, 2014, the commissioner of
state health services shall approve statewide standardized
training programs for emergency medical services personnel and
establish the standards for recertification of emergency medical
services personnel, as required under Section 773.0541, Health and
Safety Code, as added by this Act.
(d) Not later than September 1, 2014, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall:
(1) adopt rules required to implement Section
773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) adopt rules required to implement Section 773.056,
Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.
(e) The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an
emergency medical services personnel certification or
recertification application submitted on or after September 1,
2014. An application submitted before that date is governed by the
law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act and
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.