By:  Nelson                                                       S.B. No. 1549
	(In the Senate - Filed March 14, 2003; March 20, 2003, read 
first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; 
April 14, 2003, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 7, 
Nays 0; April 14, 2003, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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.
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