By: Gonzales (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.B. No. 4353

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2009; May 6, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Intergovernmental Relations; May 14, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 14, 2009, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the licensing of certain nurses who will practice in border counties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 301.262 to read as follows:

Sec. 301.262. SPECIAL LICENSE. (a) The board may issue a license under this section to a person licensed to practice nursing in Mexico if the person:

(1) graduated from an accredited nursing program in Mexico;

(2) provides a report acceptable to the board issued by a credentials evaluation service approved by the board;

(3) applies on a form prescribed by the board and pays the fee required by the board;

(4) has received a score of at least 475 on a Test of English as a Foreign Language examination;

(5) has received a score acceptable to the board on an English language version of the appropriate National Council Licensure Examination;

(6) is eligible for employment in the United States; and

(7) will practice nursing in a county that borders Mexico.

(b) A license issued under this section is valid for one year and may not be renewed. A person who holds or has held a license issued under this section may apply for another type of license under this chapter.

(c) A person who holds a license issued under this section may practice nursing only as an employee of a hospital located in a county that borders Mexico.

(d) A person who holds a license issued under this section is not entitled to a multistate licensing privilege to practice under the Nurse Licensure Compact under Chapter 304.

(e) This section expires September 1, 2013.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

* * * * *