85R3752 BEE-F
 
  By: Zerwas H.B. No. 2548
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the prescribing and ordering of Schedule II controlled
  substances by certain 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 (a), (b), (b-1), and (c) and adding
  Subsection (b-3) to read as follows:
         (a)  A physician's authority to delegate the prescribing or
  ordering of a drug or device under this subchapter is limited to:
               (1)  nonprescription drugs;
               (2)  dangerous drugs; and
               (3)  controlled substances to the extent provided by
  Subsections (b), [and] (b-1), and (b-3).
         (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 any refill [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.
         (b-3)  A physician may delegate to a physician assistant 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, at the practice
  site.
         (c)  This subchapter does not modify the authority granted by
  law for a licensed registered nurse or physician assistant to
  administer or provide a medication, including 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, that is authorized by a
  physician under a physician's order, standing medical order,
  standing delegation order, or protocol.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.