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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain vocational nursing students providing |
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essential services during a declared state of disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Subchapter T to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER T. CERTAIN VOCATIONAL NURSING STUDENTS PROVIDING |
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ESSENTIAL SERVICES |
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Sec. 242.951. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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418.004, Government Code. |
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(2) "Governmental entity" means: |
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(A) this state; |
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(B) a board, commission, council, department, or |
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other agency in the executive branch of state government that is |
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created by the state constitution or a statute, including an |
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institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, |
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Education Code; |
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(C) the legislature or a legislative agency; |
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(D) a state judicial agency or the State Bar of |
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Texas; |
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(E) a political subdivision of this state, |
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including a county, municipality, or special district or authority; |
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or |
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(F) an officer, employee, or agent of an entity |
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described by Paragraphs (A) through (E). |
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Sec. 242.952. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only |
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to a student who is: |
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(1) enrolled in an accredited school or program that |
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is preparing the student for licensure as a licensed vocational |
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nurse; and |
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(2) participating in a clinical program at a facility |
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licensed under this chapter. |
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Sec. 242.953. ESSENTIAL SERVICE. (a) Notwithstanding any |
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other law, the services provided by a student to whom this |
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subchapter applies in a facility licensed under this chapter are |
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essential services at all times in this state, including during a |
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declared state of disaster. |
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(b) A governmental entity may not, at any time, including |
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during a declared state of disaster, prohibit a student to whom this |
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subchapter applies from providing essential services. |
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(c) A facility licensed under this chapter may require a |
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student to comply with the facility's policies regarding health |
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screenings or the use of personal protective equipment. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |