BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 387
86R3025 KKR-D	By: Cortez (Creighton)
	Business & Commerce
	4/25/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

It has been noted that, although the workers' compensation system allows advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) to treat injured workers, APRNs are not currently authorized to complete and sign work status reports, which may create unnecessary delays for patients and additional paperwork burdens for delegating physicians. H.B. 387 seeks to make the documentation process more efficient by authorizing a licensed APRN to complete and sign such a report.

H.B. 387 amends current law relating to submission of reports by an advanced practice registered nurse under the workers' compensation system.

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 408.025(a-1), Labor Code, as follows:

(a-1) Authorizes a treating doctor to delegate to a physician assistant who is licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 204 (Physician Assistants), Occupations Code, or an advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 301 (Nurses), Occupations Code, rather than to a physician assistant who is licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 204, Occupations Code, the authority to complete and sign a work status report regarding an injured employee's ability to return to work. Provides that the delegating treating doctor is responsible for the acts of the physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse under this subsection.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019. �