83R18576 KKR-F

By: Martinez H.B. No. 2426

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2426:

By: Kolkhorst C.S.H.B. No. 2426

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certification and recertification requirements and adoption of statewide certification examinations for emergency services personnel.

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

SECTION 1. Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsections (m), (n), and (o) to read as follows:

(m) The advisory council shall develop and submit to the commissioner for approval a process for evaluating national testing and certifying organizations to be used by the department in providing statewide certification examinations for emergency medical services personnel. In developing the evaluation process, the council shall include criteria to ensure that:

(1) an approved organization tests and certifies emergency medical services personnel based on the national emergency medical services education standards of the United States Department of Transportation or on similar emergency medical services education standards specified by the commissioner;

(2) an approved organization provides a valid testing procedure and appropriate testing content; and

(3) an approved organization's certification examination:

(A) is based on the national emergency medical services education standards described in Subdivision (1); and

(B) includes procedures to test practical skills proficiency or for the attestation of practical skills proficiency as required by the initial education program for emergency medical services personnel.

(n) Using the approval process developed and approved under Subsection (m), the advisory council shall:

(1) evaluate each request for approval to provide statewide certification examinations for emergency medical services personnel that is submitted by a national testing and certifying organization; and

(2) submit to the commissioner the advisory council's recommendation on whether the department should approve a national testing and certifying organization's request to provide statewide certification examinations for emergency medical services personnel not later than six months after the date a request for consideration from an organization is received by the council.

(o) Not later than the 60th day after the date the commissioner receives a recommendation made by the advisory council under Subsection (n), the commissioner shall determine whether to approve the recommended national testing and certifying organization to provide statewide certification examinations for emergency medical services personnel.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0541 to read as follows:

Sec. 773.0541. CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. (a) The commissioner shall consider and approve not more than three national testing and certifying organizations recommended by the advisory council under Section 773.012(n) for the certification and recertification of emergency medical services personnel. A statewide certification examination approved by the commissioner must meet the requirements specified in Section 773.012(m).

(b) In establishing minimum standards under Section 773.050, the commissioner shall establish standards for the recertification of emergency medical services personnel that allow personnel to qualify for recertification by complying with one of the following options:

(1) passing a statewide certification examination approved by the commissioner;

(2) successfully completing the continuing education requirements established by the department, which may not exceed the maximum number of education hours required by an approved national testing and certifying organization to ensure competency of emergency medical services personnel;

(3) holding a current certification issued by a national certifying organization approved by the commissioner; and

(4) successfully completing a formal recertification course that complies with the minimum hours and standards established by the department, which may not exceed the maximum number of education hours required by an approved national testing and certifying organization to ensure competency of emergency medical services personnel.

SECTION 3. (a) Not later than January 1, 2014, the advisory council appointed under Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, shall develop and provide to the commissioner of state health services the proposed process for evaluating national testing and certifying organizations to be approved by the department to provide statewide certification examinations for emergency medical services personnel as required by Section 773.012(m), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than March 1, 2014, the commissioner of state health services shall approve an evaluation process described by Subsection (a) of this section as required by Section 773.012(o), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2014, the commissioner of state health services shall establish the standards for recertification of emergency medical services personnel, as required under Section 773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(d) Not later than March 1, 2014, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules required to implement Section 773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(e) The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an emergency medical services personnel certification or recertification application submitted on or after September 1, 2014. An application submitted before that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that 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, 2013.