SRC-VRA S.B. 1298 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1298 78R7447 EMT-DBy: Madla Health & Human Services 3/29/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Creating a practice environment for nurses that is more likely to attract individuals to the profession and to retain them once they have become registered nurses is critical to alleviating the shortage of nurses in Texas. One of the components of an attractive practice environment is a workplace that does not subject nurses to unnecessary risk of workplace injury or violence. As proposed, S.B. 1298 requires the governing body of a hospital to adopt policies and procedures related to the work environment. 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 241B, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 241.029, as follows: Sec. 241.029. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO WORKPLACE SAFETY. (a) Requires the governing body of a hospital to adopt policies and procedures related to the work environment for nurses and other hospital personnel to perform certain tasks. (b) Requires the policies and procedures adopted under Subsection (a), at a minimum, to include certain items. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003. Requires a hospital to adopt policies and procedures required by Section 241.029, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2004.