By Maxey                                               H.B. No. 390
         77R2001 DLF-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the use of registered nurses for telemedical
 1-3     consultations reimbursed under the Medicaid program.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 531.0217(a)(1), Government Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7                 (1)  "Health professional" means an advanced nurse
 1-8     practitioner, a registered nurse, an allied health professional, a
 1-9     mental health professional, a physician, or a physician assistant
1-10     who is licensed in this state.
1-11           SECTION 2. Section 531.0217, Government Code, is amended by
1-12     adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
1-13           (i)  The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, in
1-14     consultation with the commission, as appropriate, shall adopt rules
1-15     to ensure the adequate supervision of a registered nurse who is
1-16     supervised by a physician through telemedical consultation for
1-17     which reimbursement is required under this section. The rules must
1-18     establish the maximum number of registered nurses that a physician
1-19     may supervise through telemedical consultation.
1-20           SECTION 3. If  before  implementing  any provision of this
1-21     Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization  from
1-22     a  federal  agency  is necessary  for implementation  of  that
1-23     provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the
1-24     waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision
 2-1     until the waiver or authorization is granted.
 2-2           SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.