By: Bowers H.B. No. 2664
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the task force on racial diversity in the nursing
workforce.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Nursing advisory committee" means the nursing
advisory committee established under Section 104.0155, Health and
Safety Code.
(2) "Task force" means the task force on racial
diversity established under this section.
(b) A task force is established under this section to assess
and determine methods of promoting racial diversity in the nursing
workforce in this state.
(c) The nursing advisory committee shall develop a uniform
application form to use in soliciting eligible applicants for task
force membership. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the nursing advisory committee shall solicit
applicants for task force membership using the uniform application
form.
(d) The task force is composed of the following nine members
the nursing advisory committee selects from the pool of eligible
applicants:
(1) one member who serves on the nursing advisory
committee;
(2) one member who represents the Texas Center for
Nursing Workforce Studies;
(3) one member who represents the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board;
(4) two members who represent initial licensure
nursing programs of public institutions of higher education in this
state;
(5) two members who represent advanced nursing
programs of public institutions of higher education in this state
or health-related institutions;
(6) one member who represents the hospital industry;
and
(7) one member who represents the Texas Nurses
Association.
(e) The member serving on the nursing advisory committee
shall chair the task force.
(f) The task force shall:
(1) assess the diversity in this state's nursing
workforce based on existing data;
(2) identify any current initiatives to diversify the
nursing workforce in this state and the strengths and limitations
of those initiatives;
(3) establish goals for diversifying the nursing
workforce; and
(4) develop recommendations on strategies and
promising practices to reduce barriers and achieve those diversity
goals for the nursing workforce.
(g) Not later than September 1, 2026, the task force shall
deliver a written report to the standing committees of the
legislature with primary jurisdiction over public health and higher
education detailing the task force's activities and
recommendations.
(h) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
December 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.