BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2270
	By: Miles
	State Affairs
	4/6/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, Section 51.977 of the Education Code authorizes university medical or dental units to give full-time benefits to nurses who work at least 36 hours but not more than 40 hours. These benefits are not offered to any other position and may keep these hospitals from retaining full‑time employees such as pharmacists and physician assistants.

S.B. 2270 will expand Section 51.977, Education Code, to allow university medical or dental units the option of providing full-time benefits to physician assistants and pharmacists who work at least 36 hours but less than 40 hours. The cost difference for this expansion will not be covered by state funds but by other revenue. This option will allow university medical or dental units to compete with other hospitals and fill important positons.

As proposed, S.B. 2270 amends current law relating to employment policies for certain health care providers in medical and dental units.

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 51.977, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 51.977. New heading: EMPLOYMENT POLICIES FOR NURSES AND ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS IN MEDICAL AND DENTAL UNITS. (a) Requires the president of a medical and dental unit, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), to determine whether a nurse, physician assistant, or pharmacist, rather than a nurse, employed by the unit for patient care or clinical activities is a full-time employee for purposes of certain benefits.

(b) Provides that a determination under Subsection (a) does not entitle an individual employed in a position listed in that subsection, rather than does not entitle a nurse, who works less than 40 hours a week to the full state contribution to the cost of any coverage or benefits.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.