S.B. No. 1549




AN ACT

relating to requiring that certain individuals who provide nursing 
services in a nursing institution receive annual training in caring 
for people with dementia.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 242.037, Health and Safety Code, is 
amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
	(i)  The minimum standards adopted by the board under this 
section must require that each institution, as part of an existing 
training program, provide each registered nurse, licensed 
vocational nurse, nurse aide, and nursing assistant who provides 
nursing services in the institution at least one hour of training 
each year in caring for people with dementia.
	SECTION 2.  It is the intent of the legislature that 
Subsection (i), Section 242.037, Health and Safety Code, as added 
by this Act, and rules adopted under that subsection, not impose any 
training requirement that will cause an institution regulated under 
Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, to incur additional costs.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.  The 
Texas Board of Human Services shall adopt the minimum standard 
required by Subsection (i), Section 242.037, Health and Safety 
Code, as added by this Act, in time for the standard to take effect 
on January 1, 2004.

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1549 passed the Senate on 
April 25, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1549 passed the House on 
May 16, 2003, by a non-record vote.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor