83R7968 KKR-D

By: Uresti S.B. No. 1754

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certification and recertification requirements 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 Subsection (m) to read as follows:

(m) The advisory council shall create and provide to the commissioner a list of recommended standardized training programs and standardized certification examinations to be used by the department to create a statewide standardized training and examination program for emergency medical services personnel. The council shall ensure that:

(1) each included standardized training program is consistent with the emergency medical services education standards of the United States Department of Transportation or of another emergency medical services agency specified by the commissioner; and

(2) each included standardized certification examination:

(A) examines material comparable to the material examined in tests conducted by national testing organizations that certify emergency medical services personnel;

(B) is based on the education standards described in Subdivision (1);

(C) includes procedures to test practical skills proficiency; and

(D) is certified as valid by an organization the council determines is capable of determining testing procedure and testing content validity.

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 statewide standardized certification examinations that are included in the list recommended by the advisory council under Section 773.012(m) for the certification and recertification of emergency medical services personnel. A standardized certification examination approved by the commissioner must meet the requirements specified in that subsection.

(b) In establishing minimum standards under Section 773.050, the commissioner shall establish standards for the recertification of emergency medical services personnel that include the following options:

(1) passing an examination approved by the commissioner;

(2) completing the continuing education requirements established by the department, which may not exceed the maximum number of education hours required for initial certification;

(3) holding a current certification issued by a national certification 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.

SECTION 3. Section 773.056, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 773.056. APPROVAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMS; CERTIFICATION OF INSTRUCTORS, EXAMINERS, AND COORDINATORS. (a) The department shall approve one or more statewide standardized training programs that:

(1) are included in the list recommended by the advisory council under Section 773.012(m);

(2) are consistent with the emergency medical services education standards of the United States Department of Transportation or of another emergency medical services agency specified by the commissioner; and

(3) meet [each course or training program that meets] the minimum standards adopted under Section 773.050.

(b) The department shall issue a certificate to each program instructor, examiner, or course coordinator who meets the [minimum] standards adopted under Subsection (a) [Section 773.050]. The certificate is valid for two years. The department shall charge a fee of not more than $10 to replace a lost or stolen certificate.

SECTION 4. (a) Not later than March 1, 2014, the advisory council appointed under Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, shall compile and provide to the commissioner of state health services the list of standardized training programs or standardized 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 September 1, 2014, the commissioner of state health services shall approve a statewide standardized certification examination for emergency medical services personnel as required by Section 773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(c) Not later than September 1, 2014, the commissioner of state health services shall approve statewide standardized training programs for emergency medical services personnel and 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 September 1, 2014, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall:

(1) adopt rules required to implement Section 773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) adopt rules required to implement Section 773.056, Health and Safety Code, as amended 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 5. 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.