BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3296
85R22950 EES-D	By: Klick (Perry)
	Health & Human Services
	5/16/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 3296 amends the Occupations Code to decrease from 10 nurses to eight nurses the minimum number of nurses regularly employed, hired, or contracted for services by a person that triggers the requirement for the person to establish a nursing peer review committee to conduct nursing peer review for vocational nurses. The bill decreases the minimum number of nurses regularly employed, hired, or contracted for services by a person that triggers the requirement for the person to establish a nursing peer review committee to conduct nursing peer review for professional nurses from 10 nurses, at least 5 of whom are registered nurses, to eight nurses, at least four of whom are registered nurses.

H.B. 3296 amends current law relating to persons required to establish nursing peer review committees.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 303.0015(a), Occupations Code, as follows:

(a) Requires a person to establish a nursing peer review committee to conduct nursing peer review under this chapter (Nursing Peer Review) and Chapter 301 (Nurses):

(1) for vocational nurses, if the person regularly employs, hires, or contracts for the services of eight, rather than 10, or more nurses; and

(2) for professional nurses, if the person regularly employs, hires, or contracts for the services of eight, rather than 10, or more nurses, at least four, rather than five, of whom are registered nurses.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.