85R3752 BEE-F
By: Zerwas, Oliverson H.B. No. 2548
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the prescribing and ordering of Schedule II controlled
substances by certain physician assistants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 157.0511, Occupations Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (a), (b), (b-1), and (c) and adding
Subsection (b-3) to read as follows:
(a) A physician's authority to delegate the prescribing or
ordering of a drug or device under this subchapter is limited to:
(1) nonprescription drugs;
(2) dangerous drugs; and
(3) controlled substances to the extent provided by
Subsections (b), [and] (b-1), and (b-3).
(b) Except as provided by Subsections [Subsection] (b-1)
and (b-3), a physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering of a
controlled substance only if:
(1) the prescription is for a controlled substance
listed in Schedule III, IV, or V as established by the commissioner
of state health services [the Department of State Health Services]
under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code;
(2) the prescription, including any refill [a refill]
of the prescription, is for a period not to exceed 90 days;
(3) with regard to the refill of a prescription, the
refill is authorized after consultation with the delegating
physician and the consultation is noted in the patient's chart; and
(4) with regard to a prescription for a child less than
two years of age, the prescription is made after consultation with
the delegating physician and the consultation is noted in the
patient's chart.
(b-1) A physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering
of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by
the commissioner of state health services [the Department of State
Health Services] under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code[, only]:
(1) in a hospital facility-based practice under
Section 157.054, in accordance with policies approved by the
hospital's medical staff or a committee of the hospital's medical
staff as provided by the hospital bylaws to ensure patient safety,
and as part of the care provided to a patient who:
(A) has been admitted to the hospital for an
intended length of stay of 24 hours or greater; or
(B) is receiving services in the emergency
department of the hospital; or
(2) as part of the plan of care for the treatment of a
person who has executed a written certification of a terminal
illness, has elected to receive hospice care, and is receiving
hospice treatment from a qualified hospice provider.
(b-3) A physician may delegate to a physician assistant the
prescribing or ordering of a controlled substance listed in
Schedule II as established by the commissioner of state health
services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, at the practice
site.
(c) This subchapter does not modify the authority granted by
law for a licensed registered nurse or physician assistant to
administer or provide a medication, including a controlled
substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner
of state health services [the Department of State Health Services]
under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, that is authorized by a
physician under a physician's order, standing medical order,
standing delegation order, or protocol.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.