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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to employment policies for certain health care providers |
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in medical and dental units. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51.977, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.977. EMPLOYMENT POLICIES FOR NURSES AND |
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ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS IN MEDICAL AND DENTAL UNITS. (a) The |
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president of a medical and dental unit, as defined by Section |
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61.003, shall determine whether a nurse, physician assistant, or |
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pharmacist employed by the unit for patient care or clinical |
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activities is a full-time employee for purposes of: |
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(1) Employees group benefits under Chapter 1551 |
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or 1601, Insurance Code; |
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(2) leave under Chapter 661 or 662, Government |
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Code; and |
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(3) longevity pay under Section 659.043, |
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Government Code. |
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(b) A determination under Subsection (a) does not |
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entitle an individual employed in a position listed in that |
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subsection [a nurse] who works less than 40 hours a week to the full |
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state contribution to the cost of any coverage or benefits. |
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However, from money other than money appropriated from the general |
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revenue fund, the employing medical and dental unit may contribute |
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to that cost amounts in excess of the state contribution. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |