79R3970 JMM-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.B. No. 660



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to training in gerontology for certain health care 
practitioners.  
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Chapter 111 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 111.  GERONTOLOGY TRAINING
	Sec. 111.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "health care 
practitioner" means an individual who is licensed in this state to 
provide health care services.  The term includes a physician, a 
registered nurse, a psychologist, a licensed professional 
counselor, and any other license holder under this code who, in 
providing health care services, provides therapy or counseling 
services.
	Sec. 111.002.  TRAINING IN GERONTOLOGY; RULES; NOTICE.  (a)  
Each state regulatory agency that licenses health care 
practitioners shall adopt rules to approve training in gerontology 
as acceptable for continuing education, particularly for 
practitioners who, in the normal course of their professional 
practice, provide health care services to elderly persons.
	(b)  A state regulatory agency affected by this section 
shall:        
		(1)  adopt rules regarding the eligibility of 
gerontology training for continuing education; and
		(2)  notify its license holders of the training.                       
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.