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|  | AN ACT | 
|  | relating to a study on improving the curricula of professional and | 
|  | vocational nursing education programs. | 
|  | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | 
|  | SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is | 
|  | amended by adding Section 61.0662 to read as follows: | 
|  | Sec. 61.0662.  STUDY ON IMPROVING NURSING PROGRAM CURRICULA. | 
|  | (a)  In this section: | 
|  | (1)  "Professional nursing program" means an | 
|  | educational program for preparing students for initial licensure as | 
|  | registered nurses. | 
|  | (2)  "Vocational nursing program" means a school or | 
|  | program for preparing students for licensure as licensed vocational | 
|  | nurses. | 
|  | (b)  The board, in consultation with the Board of Nurse | 
|  | Examiners, shall conduct a study to identify methods to improve the | 
|  | curricula of professional and vocational nursing programs.  The | 
|  | study must focus on methods to improve instruction on providing | 
|  | safe and high-quality nursing care to patients. | 
|  | (c)  Not later than December 31, 2008, the board shall | 
|  | complete the study required by Subsection (b) and submit to each | 
|  | institution of higher education or other entity that offers a | 
|  | professional or vocational nursing program in this state, the | 
|  | governor, and the legislature a report that includes specific, | 
|  | detailed recommendations concerning methods to improve the | 
|  | curricula of professional and vocational nursing programs, | 
|  | including instruction relating to patient care. | 
|  | (d)  This section expires January 1, 2009. | 
|  | SECTION 2.  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, 2007. | 
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|  | ______________________________ | ______________________________ | 
|  | President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | 
|  | 
|  | I hereby certify that S.B. No. 139 passed the Senate on | 
|  | March 14, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0. | 
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|  | ______________________________ | 
|  | Secretary of the Senate | 
|  | 
|  | I hereby certify that S.B. No. 139 passed the House on | 
|  | May 17, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, two | 
|  | present not voting. | 
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|  | ______________________________ | 
|  | Chief Clerk of the House | 
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|  | Approved: | 
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|  | ______________________________ | 
|  | Date | 
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|  | ______________________________ | 
|  | Governor |