BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2610

By: Lambert

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that prolonged licensing procedures for nurses licensed in another state who are spouses of active military personnel can result in undue financial burdens and other difficulties for these families when moving to Texas and that more expedient licensing procedures for such nurses could ease their transition to Texas. It also has been noted that providing for an expedited licensing process could help mitigate a shortage of registered nurses practicing in Texas. H.B. 2610 seeks to provide for expedited licensing procedures for a registered nurse or vocational nurse who is licensed as such by another state and who is the spouse of a person who is serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces.

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. 2610 amends the Occupations Code to require the Texas Board of Nursing to establish procedures to expedite the issuance of a temporary license by endorsement to practice as a registered nurse or vocational nurse, as applicable, and the processing of an application for a permanent license to practice as such a nurse for an applicant who is licensed as a registered nurse or vocational nurse by another state and who is the spouse of a person who is serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces. The bill requires the board to specify in the procedures the appropriate documentation to establish an applicant's status as a spouse of such a person.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.