S.B. No. 373
AN ACT
relating to increased oversight by the Department of State Health
Services of hospitals that commit certain violations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Margaret Joy Thomas
Act.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 241.0555 to read as follows:
Sec. 241.0555. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: POTENTIALLY
PREVENTABLE ADVERSE EVENTS. (a) If the department finds that a
hospital has committed a violation that resulted in a potentially
preventable adverse event reportable under Chapter 98, the
department shall require the hospital to develop and implement a
plan for approval by the department to address the deficiencies
that may have contributed to the preventable adverse event.
(b) The department may require the plan under this section
to include:
(1) staff training and education;
(2) supervision requirements for certain staff;
(3) increased staffing requirements;
(4) increased reporting to the department; and
(5) a review and amendment of hospital policies
relating to patient safety.
(c) The department shall carefully and frequently monitor
the hospital's adherence to the plan under this section and enforce
compliance.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
potentially preventable adverse event that occurs on or after the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 373 passed the Senate on
March 23, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 19, 2015, by the
following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 373 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 13, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 81,
Nays 58, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor