84R9521 EES-F
 
  By: Coleman H.B. No. 2602
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the prescribing and ordering of Schedule II controlled
  substances by certain advanced practice registered nurses and
  physician assistants.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 157.0511, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (b) and (b-1) and adding Subsection (b-3)
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsections [Subsection] (b-1)
  and (b-3), a physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering of a
  controlled substance only if:
               (1)  the prescription is for a controlled substance
  listed in Schedule III, IV, or V as established by the commissioner
  of state health services [the Department of State Health Services]
  under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code;
               (2)  the prescription, including a refill of the
  prescription, is for a period not to exceed 90 days;
               (3)  with regard to the refill of a prescription, the
  refill is authorized after consultation with the delegating
  physician and the consultation is noted in the patient's chart; and
               (4)  with regard to a prescription for a child less than
  two years of age, the prescription is made after consultation with
  the delegating physician and the consultation is noted in the
  patient's chart.
         (b-1)  A physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering
  of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by
  the commissioner of state health services [the Department of State
  Health Services] under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, only:
               (1)  in a hospital facility-based practice under
  Section 157.054, in accordance with policies approved by the
  hospital's medical staff or a committee of the hospital's medical
  staff as provided by the hospital bylaws to ensure patient safety,
  and as part of the care provided to a patient who:
                     (A)  has been admitted to the hospital for an
  intended length of stay of 24 hours or greater; or
                     (B)  is receiving services in the emergency
  department of the hospital; [or]
               (2)  as part of the plan of care for the treatment of a
  person who has executed a written certification of a terminal
  illness, has elected to receive hospice care, and is receiving
  hospice treatment from a qualified hospice provider;
               (3)  as part of the plan of care for the treatment of a
  person receiving palliative care; or 
               (4)  to an advanced practice registered nurse
  authorized by the Texas Board of Nursing to practice as a
  psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurse or a
  physician assistant recognized by the Texas Physician Assistant
  Board as specializing in psychiatric or mental health care.
         (b-3)  A physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering
  of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by
  the commissioner of state health services under Chapter 481, Health
  and Safety Code, if the physician was able to delegate the
  prescribing or ordering of that controlled substance on November 1,
  2013, because on that date the controlled substance was listed in
  Schedule III, IV, or V. 
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 562, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 562.017 to read as follows:
         Sec. 562.017.  CERTAIN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CONTROLLED
  SUBSTANCES. A pharmacist practicing in a Class A pharmacy shall
  fill a prescription for a controlled substance listed in Schedule
  II as established by the commissioner of state health services
  under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, that is authorized by an
  advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant to whom a
  physician has delegated prescribing and ordering authority under
  Section 157.0511(b-1). 
         SECTION 3.  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, 2015.