88R13179 MPF-F
By: LaMantia S.B. No. 1825
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to required reportable disease training for certain health
care practitioners.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 3, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 117 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 117. TRAINING COURSE ON REPORTABLE DISEASES
Sec. 117.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Qualifying health care practitioner" means an
individual who:
(A) holds a license, certificate, permit, or
other authorization issued under this title to engage in a health
care profession and who provides direct patient care; and
(B) is required to report a suspected reportable
disease to the local health authority under Section 81.042, Health
and Safety Code.
(4) "Reportable disease" has the meaning assigned by
Section 81.003, Health and Safety Code.
Sec. 117.002. REQUIRED TRAINING COURSE ON PROCEDURES FOR
REPORTABLE DISEASE REPORTING FOR CERTAIN HEALTH CARE
PRACTITIONERS. (a) A qualifying health care practitioner within
the time prescribed by commission rule shall complete a training
course approved by the executive commissioner on the procedures for
reportable disease reporting.
(b) The executive commissioner shall:
(1) approve training courses on the procedures for
reportable disease reporting; and
(2) post a list of the approved training courses on the
commission's Internet website.
(c) An approved training course under Subsection (b) may not
be less than three hours, and must include:
(1) information on the most recent list of reportable
diseases maintained under Section 81.041, Health and Safety Code;
(2) the reporting time requirements for each disease
on the list; and
(3) an overview of state agency rules relating to
reportable diseases.
(d) The executive commissioner shall update the list of
approved training courses described by Subsection (b) as necessary
and consider for approval training courses conducted by health care
facilities.
Sec. 117.003. TRAINING REQUIRED FOR LICENSE RENEWAL. A
qualifying health care practitioner shall complete a training
course described by Section 117.002 as part of the practitioner's
continuing education requirements for renewal of a license,
certificate, permit, or other authorization issued to the health
care practitioner under this title.
SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
Chapter 117, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 117.002, Occupations Code, as
added by this Act, a health care practitioner is not required to
comply with that section before September 1, 2024.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.