BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        S.B. 1554
                                                        By: Nixon
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                          4-27-95
                                     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

As proposed, S.B. 1554 requires 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 grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 247.026, Health and Safety Code, by
adding Subsection (e), 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.