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.