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.