BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        S.B. 1059
                                                       By: Harris
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                          4-20-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
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

As proposed, S.B. 1059 requires 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 rulemaking authority is granted
to the Texas Board of Health under SECTION 2 (Section 247.026,
Health and Safety Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 242.037, Health and Safety Code, to
require the Texas Board of Health (board) to adopt, publish, and
enforce minimum standards requiring appropriate training in
geriatric medicine for each licensed or certified employee or
volunteer of an institution who provides services to geriatric
residents.  Authorizes the minimum standards to require each
licensed or certified individual to complete an appropriate program
of continuing education on a schedule determined by board rule.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 247.026, Health and Safety Code, to
require the board, by rule, to prescribe minimum standards
requiring appropriate training in geriatric medicine for each
licensed or certified employee or volunteer who provides services
to geriatric residents of an institution.

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) Provides that a person is not required to complete the
     required training before January 1, 1997.
     
     SECTION 5.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.