BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2851

By: Howard

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies reports that, by 2036, Texas will have a shortage of licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives. Compounding this problem, the Texas Healthcare Workforce Task Force found that thousands of applications are not accepted at Texas nursing schools each year because there is no centralized mechanism for submitting applications. Accordingly, the task force recommended streamlining the nursing school application process by including nursing school programs in the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service. H.B. 2851 seeks to provide for a streamlined nursing school application process in Texas.

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. 2851 amends the Education Code to require a service or organization that provides consolidated application services for applications to medical schools or dental schools, including the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service operated through The University of Texas System, to include applications for nursing schools in Texas.

H.B. 2851 applies beginning with applications for admission to a nursing school for the 2026 fall semester.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.