SRC-SLL C.S.S.B. 1081 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1081
By: Barrientos
Jurisprudence
4-22-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the law provides limited protection for nurses who refuse to
engage in certain conduct. This bill will provide regulations regarding
peer review protections for registered nurses when refusing to engage in
unsafe care. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1081 provides regulations regarding peer review
protections for registered nurses when refusing to engage in unsafe care. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 4525d, V.T.C.S., by amending Subsections (c) and
(d), and by adding Subsection (e), to set forth procedures to be followed
if a person who regularly employs, hires, or otherwise contracts for the
services of at least 10 registered nurses requests one of those registered
nurses to engage in conduct that the nurse believes violates a registered
nurse's duty to a patient. Defines "duty to a patient."  Makes conforming
changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 241.026(a), Health and Safety Code, to require
certain rules adopted by the Texas Board of Health to address compliance
with nursing peer review under Articles 4525a and 4525b, V.T.C.S.,  and
the rules of the Board of Nurse Examiners relating to peer review. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section Article 4525d, V.T.C.S., to delete proposed changes; to set
forth procedures regarding conduct that a registered nurse believes
violates a registered nurse's duty to a patient; and to define "duty to a
patient." 

SECTION 2.

Amends Section 241.026(a), V.T.C.S., to make a conforming change.
Redesignates subsequent SECTIONS.