C.S.H.B. 2428 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2428 By: Brown, Fred Public Health Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The current law is unclear as to whether or not a student from an unaccredited private school or home school is eligible to apply for a vocational nurse license. This bill amends Section 302.302, Occupations Code, by adding new language that will make a diploma from a public or private school sufficient to apply for a vocational nurse license. The new language will clarify the current law to include students that receive a diploma from a private or home school. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the author's opinion this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. ANALYSIS This bill amends Section 302.302, Occupations Code, to allow students with a diploma from an unaccredited private school or a home school to apply for a license. The bill also enable students with a high school diploma from an accredited secondary school to apply for a license. In addition the bill provides that vocational nurses who complete education programs in other states may be licensed in Texas. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and would apply to license applications submitted after that date. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE CSHB 2428 amends the language of original bill by adding language allowing an applicant for a vocational nurse license to have a diploma from an unaccredited private school, including a home school. Separating the two types of diplomas will allow those students receiving an education from an unaccredited private school or home school the ability to apply to the board for a vocational nurse license.