NLAC Update February 4, 2021
Current Status of Bills Related to the NLAC Agenda
Legislators have filed the following bills related to the Nursing Legislative Action Coalition agenda for the 2021 legislative session. Nurses are encouraged to contact their legislators to support these bills. The full practice NP bill is still in review by the Legislative Council which drafts all bills.
HB 1384 Thierry, Shawn(D) Relating to required suicide prevention training for certain health care practitioners.
General Remarks: This bill would require physicians, nurses, PT/OTs, CDCs, LPs, LPAs, LSSPs, LPCs, LMSWs, and LMFTs to complete one hour of suicide prevention training.
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Bill History:
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01-26-21 H Filed
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HB 1446
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Ashby, Trent(R)
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Relating to the expansion of broadband services to certain areas.
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Companions:
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SB 506 Nichols, Robert (Identical) 1-28-21 S Filed
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General Remarks:
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This bill would create a broadband development office within the comptroller's office. The office would be charged with developing a map to display areas with and without broadband and the number of service providers in each area. Finally, the bill would create an account that can be used for awards grants, low-interest loans, and other financial incentives to expand access to broadband.
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Bill History:
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01-28-21 H Filed
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HB 1524
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Lucio III, Eddie(D)
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Relating to the prescribing and ordering of Schedule II controlled substances by certain advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.
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Companions:
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(Refiled from 86R
HB 2250 Lucio III, Eddie
Session)
(Refiled from 86R
SB 1308 Buckingham, Dawn
Session)
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General Remarks:
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This bill would allow physicians to delegate the prescribing and ordering of CSIIs to APRNs and PAs in any setting.
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Bill History:
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02-02-21 H Filed
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HB 1559
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Howard, Donna(D)
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Relating to Program.
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the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Assistance
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Companions:
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SB 358
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Hinojosa, Chuy
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(Refiled from 86R
Session)
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SB 575
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Hinojosa, Chuy 2- 3-21 S Filed
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(Identical)
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General Remarks:
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This bill would make part-time faculty eligible for the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program and would allow THECB to determine loan amounts based on the number of hours worked.
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Bill History:
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02-03-21 H Filed
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HB 1566
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Middleton, Mayes(R)
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Relating to the requirements for a junior college district to receive approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer baccalaureate degree programs.
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Companions:
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(Refiled from 86R
HB 1749 Wray, John
Session)
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General Remarks:
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This bill would remove the taxable property valuation requirement for community colleges to offer baccalaureate programs.
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Bill History:
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02-03-21 H Filed
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SB 412
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Buckingham, Dawn(R)
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Relating to telemedicine, telehealth, and technology-related health care services.
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Companions:
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HB 974 Price, Four (Identical) 1- 5-21 H Filed
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General Remarks:
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This bill would expand Medicaid telehealth reimbursement, and expressly includes audio-only behavioral health services and home tele monitoring services.
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Bill History:
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01-25-21 S Filed
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Companions:
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HB 396 Moody, Joe (Identical)
11- 9-20 H Filed
SB 439 Blanco, Cesar (F) (Identical)
1-26-21 S Filed
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General Remarks:
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This bill would create a legal presumption that, if a nurse contracts COVID, it was contracted during the course of employment.
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Bill History:
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01-25-21 S Filed
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SB 433 Zaffirini, Judith(D) Relating to the eligibility of nurses for workers' compensation benefits for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and payment of those benefits.
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SB 439
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Blanco, Cesar (F)(D)
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Relating to the eligibility of nurses for workers' compensation benefits for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and payment of those benefits.
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Companions:
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HB 396 Moody, Joe (Identical)
11- 9-20 H Filed
SB 433 Zaffirini, Judith (Identical)
1-25-21 S Filed
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General Remarks:
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This bill would create a legal presumption that, if a nurse contracts COVID, it was contracted during the course of employment.
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Bill History:
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01-26-21 S Filed
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SB 575 Hinojosa, Chuy(D) Relating to the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
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Companions:
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(Refiled from 86R
SB 358 Hinojosa, Chuy
Session)
HB 1559 Howard, Donna (Identical)
2- 3-21 H Filed
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General Remarks:
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This bill would make part-time faculty eligible for the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program, and would allow THECB to determine loan amounts based on the number of hours worked.
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Bill History:
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02-03-21 S Filed
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Total Bills: 9