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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the task force on racial diversity in the nursing |
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workforce. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Nursing advisory committee" means the nursing |
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advisory committee established under Section 104.0155, Health and |
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Safety Code. |
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(2) "Task force" means the task force on racial |
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diversity established under this section. |
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(b) A task force is established under this section to assess |
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and determine methods of promoting racial diversity in the nursing |
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workforce in this state. |
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(c) The nursing advisory committee shall develop a uniform |
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application form to use in soliciting eligible applicants for task |
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force membership. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the nursing advisory committee shall solicit |
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applicants for task force membership using the uniform application |
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form. |
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(d) The task force is composed of the following nine members |
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the nursing advisory committee selects from the pool of eligible |
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applicants: |
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(1) one member who serves on the nursing advisory |
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committee; |
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(2) one member who represents the Texas Center for |
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Nursing Workforce Studies; |
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(3) one member who represents the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board; |
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(4) two members who represent initial licensure |
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nursing programs of public institutions of higher education in this |
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state; |
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(5) two members who represent advanced nursing |
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programs of public institutions of higher education in this state |
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or health-related institutions; |
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(6) one member who represents the hospital industry; |
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and |
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(7) one member who represents the Texas Nurses |
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Association. |
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(e) The member serving on the nursing advisory committee |
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shall chair the task force. |
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(f) The task force shall: |
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(1) assess the diversity in this state's nursing |
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workforce based on existing data; |
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(2) identify any current initiatives to diversify the |
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nursing workforce in this state and the strengths and limitations |
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of those initiatives; |
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(3) establish goals for diversifying the nursing |
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workforce; and |
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(4) develop recommendations on strategies and |
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promising practices to reduce barriers and achieve those diversity |
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goals for the nursing workforce. |
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(g) Not later than September 1, 2026, the task force shall |
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deliver a written report to the standing committees of the |
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legislature with primary jurisdiction over public health and higher |
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education detailing the task force's activities and |
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recommendations. |
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(h) The task force is abolished and this Act expires |
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December 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |