BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 278

By: Oliverson

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that the requirements for meetings between a physician and an advanced practice registered nurse under a prescriptive authority agreement are too rigid. H.B. 278 seeks to address this issue by revising requirements regarding the frequency and location of such meetings.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 278 amends the Occupations Code to revise the prescriptive authority agreement requirements for periodic meetings between a physician and an advanced practice registered nurse as part of a quality assurance and improvement plan. The bill removes the specification that such meetings are face-to-face meetings that take place at a location determined by the physician and the advanced practice registered nurse and removes requirements regarding the frequency with which the meetings must occur. The bill requires the meetings to take place instead at least once a month in a manner determined by the physician and the advanced practice registered nurse.  

H.B. 278 repeals Section 157.0512(f-1), Occupations Code. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.