Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 2208 amends the Occupations Code to authorize the Board of Nurse Examiners to request and receive criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for holders of or applicants for a registered nurse license. The bill requires applicants for an original license and for the renewal of an unexpired license to submit a complete set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining information from the Department of Public Safety and the FBI. The bill authorizes the board to deny a license or to refuse a renewal to an applicant who does not comply with the requirement to submit fingerprints and further provides that renewal of a license is conditioned on the board obtaining a person's criminal history record information. The board is also authorized to develop a process for requiring students enrolled in certain nursing programs to submit fingerprints. Criminal history record information is privileged and confidential and an applicant or license holder is entitled to a hearing if an application for a license is denied or if a license is suspended, revoked, or not renewed based on the information obtained.