79R4320 MXM-D

By:  Rodriguez                                                    H.B. No. 1298



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring hepatitis C training for nurses and physician 
assistants.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 204, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 204.1566 to read as follows:
	Sec. 204.1566.  HEPATITIS C CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a)  A 
license holder shall participate in at least two hours of 
continuing education relating to hepatitis C in a two-year period.
	(b)  The physician assistant board shall recognize, prepare, 
or administer a hepatitis C training program for use in continuing 
education for license holders.
	(c)  The training must provide information relating to the 
prevention, assessment, and treatment of hepatitis C.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter G, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 301.304 to read as follows:
	Sec. 301.304.  HEPATITIS C CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a)  As 
part of any continuing education requirement under Section 301.303, 
a license holder shall participate in at least two hours of 
continuing education relating to hepatitis C in a two-year 
licensing period.
	(b)  The board shall recognize, prepare, or administer a 
hepatitis C training program for use in continuing education for 
license holders.
	(c)  The training must provide information relating to the 
prevention, assessment, and treatment of hepatitis C.
	SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to 
a license that expires on or after June 1, 2006.  A license that 
expires before June 1, 2006, is governed by the law in effect when 
the license expired, and the former law is continued in effect for 
that purpose.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.