S.B. No. 1239
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to continuing education requirements for surgical
  technologists.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 259.002, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 259.002.  REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICING SURGICAL
  TECHNOLOGY; CONTINUING EDUCATION.
         SECTION 2.  Section 259.002, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
         (d)  A person employed by a health care facility to practice
  surgical technology under Subsection (a)(1) shall complete the
  number of hours of continuing education required to maintain
  certification by the organization that issued the surgical
  technologist certification to the person.  On the facility's
  request, the person shall submit to the facility evidence of
  completion of the continuing education.
         (e)  A person employed by a health care facility to practice
  surgical technology under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) or Subsection
  (c) shall complete every two years 30 hours of continuing education
  related to surgical technology.  On the facility's request, the
  person shall submit to the facility evidence of completion of the
  continuing education.
         (f)  A health care facility may restrict the ability of a
  person employed by the facility to practice surgical technology in
  the facility if the person fails to complete the continuing
  education required by Subsection (d) or (e). 
         SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding Sections 259.002(d) and (e),
  Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a person employed by a
  health care facility to practice surgical technology is not
  required to complete the continuing education before September 1,
  2020.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1239 passed the Senate on
  May 3, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1239 passed the House on
  May 17, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 133, Nays 14, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor