BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 1554
By: Nixon (Telford)
05-09-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Under current law, a nurse's aide in a facility licensed under
Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, must serve at least 90 days
prior to taking courses for certification as a medication aide. 
Personal care facilities, however, are not included in Chapter 242;
therefore, a nurse's aide in such a facility must work in a nursing
home before being eligible for coursework for certification.

PURPOSE

S.B. 1554 would require certain individuals employed by licensed
personal care facilities for at least 90 days to be eligible for
certification as a medication aide.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Adds Subsection (e) to Section 247.026, Health and
Safety Code, to require any individual otherwise qualified, who has
been employed by a licensed personal care facility for at least 90
days, to be eligible to be certified as a medication aide following
the completion of the required course of study and successful
completion of any required examination.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 1554 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public
hearing on May 9, 1995.

The following persons testified in favor of the bill:
Representative Telford, sponsor of the bill.
Sid Rich, representing Texas Association of Retirement Communities.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, 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 5
AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 PNV, and 4 ABSENT.