BILL ANALYSIS Public Health Committee S.B. 1059 By: Harris (Goodman) 05-09-95 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND The care of older people with multiple chronic health problems in nursing homes is very complex and requires nurses with additional educational preparation in the specialty of gerontological nursing; however, the majority of currently licensed registered nurses have had little or no preparation in the specific theories, knowledge, and skills needed to care for older persons as part of basic nursing educational programs. PURPOSE S.B. 1059 would require the Texas Board of Health to prescribe and enforce standards requiring certain geriatric service providers to undergo appropriate training in geriatric medicine. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly grants additional rulemaking authority to to the Texas Board of Health in Section 1 (Sec. 242.037, Health and Safety Code) and Section 2 (Section 247.026, Health and Safety Code). SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Adds Section 242.037(b), Health and Safety Code, to require the Texas Board of Health (board) to adopt, publish, and enforce minimum standards requiring the appropriate training in geriatric care for each licensed or certified employee of an institution who provides authorized services to geriatric residents. Authorizes the minimum standards to require that each licensed or certified individual complete an appropriate program of continuing education or in-service training as determined by board rule, on a schedule determined by board rule. SECTION 2. Adds Section 247.026(e), Health and Safety Code, to require the board, by rule, to prescribe minimum standards requiring appropriate training in geriatric care for each licensed or certified employee who provides services to geriatric residents of an institution. Authorizes the minimum standards to require that each licensed or certified individual complete an appropriate program of continuing education or in-service training as determined by board rule, on a schedule determined by board rule. SECTION 3. Requires the Texas Board of Human Services, before adopting minimum standards under Sections 242.037(b) and 247.026(e), Health and Safety Code, to solicit the comment of each agency of this state that issues a license or certificate authorizing an individual to provide services as licensed under Chapters 242 and 247, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 4. (a) Requires the Texas Board of Human Services to adopt minimum standards as required by Sections 242.037(b) and 247.026(e), Health and Safety Code, not later than December 31, 1995. (b) States that a person is not required to complete the specified required training before January 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS The amendment to S.B. 1059 removes volunteers from the bill because they cannot be included in this certified training as volunteers. Additionally, the term "geriatric medicine" is changed to "geriatric care" to better reflect the services to be provided, because many of the services do not include medical care. In-service training will be allowed as a qualification for certification, and therefore was added to the bill by this amendment. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 1059 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public hearing on May 9, 1995. The committee considered one amendment to the bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. The following persons testified in favor of the bill: Representative Goodman, sponsor of the bill. Sid Rich, representing self and Texas Association of Retirement Communities. The bill was reported favorably as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 PNV, and 3 ABSENT.