Texas House Bill HB3533

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to criminal history record checks for nurse aides and applicants for listing on the nurse aide registry; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The legislation amends existing health and safety laws, specifically Chapter 250, to include the new Section 250.0025, which outlines the eligibility verification process. This impacts how individuals can enter the nurse aide profession, potentially leading to increased accountability and safety standards within the healthcare sector. Furthermore, the ability of the HHSC to enforce these checks will enable more effective regulation of healthcare professionals who have access to vulnerable populations.

Summary

House Bill 3533 addresses the process for criminal history record checks specifically for nurse aides and applicants seeking listing on the nurse aide registry in Texas. The bill mandates that applicants must undergo a verification process facilitated by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which includes submitting a complete set of fingerprints to conduct a thorough criminal history check. This verification is intended to safeguard public health and safety by ensuring that only eligible candidates can be registered as nurse aides.

Contention

While the intent of HB 3533 is to enhance the safety of nursing aides, some concerns may arise surrounding the implications of increased scrutiny on applicants, particularly those with backgrounds that may include minor or non-violent offenses. There may be contention regarding the fairness of excluding individuals based on past criminal records, which advocates argue could disproportionately affect certain demographics. Additionally, the requirement for applicants to pay a fee for the verification process could raise questions about accessibility and fairness for prospective nurse aides.