BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4048
	By: Allison (Johnson)
	Health & Human Services
	5/17/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have been raised over the amount of time involved in the process for an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant to sign a death certificate, which results in unnecessary delays from the various steps required to track down a physician, who may not have been directly caring for the patient, to sign the certificate. H.B. 4048 seeks to address these concerns by removing statutory limitations that hinder the process for an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant to complete the medical certification for a death certificate or fetal death certificate.

H.B. 4048 amends current law relating to the authority of an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant regarding death certificates.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 193.005(a), Health and Safety Code, to delete existing text referencing Subsection (a-1) (relating to a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse completing the medical certification for a death certificate or fetal death certificate if a patient has elected to receive hospice care or is receiving hospice or palliative care).

SECTION 2.  Repealer: Section 193.005(a-1) (relating to authorizing a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse to complete certain medical certifications under certain circumstances), Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.