S.B. 1549 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1549
By: Nelson
Public Health
Committee Report (Unamended)

     

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

As the country's population continues to age, dementia is affecting a
larger number of people. Dementia, which is defined as a loss of
intellectual functioning (thinking, remembering, and reasoning) that is so
severe that it interferes with an individual's daily functioning and
eventually results in death, and can require in-depth care for the
duration of the disease.  

Registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurses aides, and nursing
assistants who provide direct services to the elderly in nursing homes are
currently not required to complete any training in dementia.  Because
understanding dementia and effective care strategies is vital for
providing adequate care for dementia patients, training is necessary.   

SB 1549 would require each institution to provide at least one hour of
dementia specific training per year to registered nurses, licensed
vocational nurses, nurse aides, and nursing assistants who provide nursing
services in an institution.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

The bill requires institutions to provide at least one hour of dementia
specific training per year to registered nurses, licensed vocational
nurses, nurse aides, and nursing assistants who provide nursing services
in an institution.  

States that the legislative intent of this Act would not impose any
training requirement on an institution that would incur additional costs
to the institution. 

The bill requires the Texas Board of Human Services to adopt minimum
standards required by the above section in time to take effect on January
1, 2004. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003