86R16095 SRA-F By: Oliverson H.B. No. 1748 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to continuing education requirements for surgical technologists. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 259.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 259.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICING SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY; CONTINUING EDUCATION. SECTION 2. Section 259.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows: (d) A person employed by a health care facility to practice surgical technology under Subsection (a)(1) shall complete the number of hours of continuing education required to maintain certification by the organization that issued the surgical technologist certification to the person. On the facility's request, the person shall submit to the facility evidence of completion of the continuing education. (e) A person employed by a health care facility to practice surgical technology under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) or Subsection (c) shall complete every two years 30 hours of continuing education related to surgical technology. On the facility's request, the person shall submit to the facility evidence of completion of the continuing education. (f) A health care facility may restrict the ability of a person employed by the facility to practice surgical technology in the facility if the person fails to complete the continuing education required by Subsection (d) or (e). SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Sections 259.002(d) and (e), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a person employed by a health care facility to practice surgical technology is not required to complete the continuing education before September 1, 2020. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.