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.