SRC-CTC H.B. 2650 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2650 77R12421 MXM-DBy: Capelo (Madla) Health & Human Services 5/10/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Americans die each year from hepatitis C and approximately four million others have been infected with HCV. Most HCV infected persons are between 30 and 49 years of age and are expected to develop chronic liver disease as they age. Consequently, the number of deaths attributable to HCV could increase substantially during the next two decades. It is imperative that health care professionals such as licensed nurses are knowledgeable about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis C. Currently, the Board of Nurse Examiners (board) may require licensed nurses to complete as much as 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their license. H.B. 2650 requires the board to develop hepatitis C continuing education training and requires licensed nurses to complete at least two hours of continuing education instruction related to hepatitis C as part of the 20 hours. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 301G, Occupations Code, by adding Section 301.304, as follows: Sec. 301.304. HEPATITIS C COMPONENT IN CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a) Requires a license holder, as part of any continuing education requirements under Section 301.303, to participate in not less than two hours of continuing education relating to hepatitis C. Provides that this subsection applies only to a license holder who renews a license on or after June 1, 2002. (b) Requires the Board of Nurse Examiners to recognize, prepare, or administer a hepatitis C training component for use in continuing education for license holders under Subsection (a). (c) Requires the training component to provide information relating to the prevention, assessment, and treatment of hepatitis C. (d) Provides that this section expires June 1, 2004. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to June 1, 2002. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.