S.B. No. 1239
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1239 passed the Senate on
May 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1239 passed the House on
May 17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 14, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor