BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2856
89R6070 CMO-D	By: Howard (Zaffirini)
	Education K-16
	5/5/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas lacks a centralized system for coordinating clinical training placements, forcing institutions of higher education and students to compete for limited spots at healthcare facilities. This fragmented process delays student training, burdens institutions, and exacerbates workforce shortages.

H.B. 2856 would direct the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the feasibility of regional portals�centralized platforms for coordinating and reserving clinical training placements at healthcare facilities�by assessing regional needs, estimating costs, and identifying necessary maintenance and staffing for implementation and long-term operation. Accordingly, this bill would explore a structured approach to streamlining clinical placement coordination, expand student access to hands-on training opportunities, and strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline by assessing how institutions of higher education can better collaborate with healthcare facilities to meet growing demand.

H.B. 2856 amends current law relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements.

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 Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.09012, as follows:

Sec. 61.09012. STUDY ON CLINICAL TRAINING PLACEMENTS FOR STUDENTS. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to conduct a study on the feasibility of developing regional portals to assist in reserving clinical rotations at health care facilities for students enrolled in institutions of higher education who require clinical training.

(b) Requires that the study determine the number of regions needed to adequately support institutions of higher education and students that require clinical training, the cost of establishing regional portals, and the necessary maintenance, support, and staff required to establish and maintain the regional portals.

(c) Requires THECB, not later than December 1, 2026, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chair of each standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education a written report that includes the study's findings and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.