89R25484 AND-D     By: Howard H.B. No. 2188     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2188:     By:  VanDeaver C.S.H.B. No. 2188       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the transition of the nurse aide certification program   from the Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Board of   Nursing and to the creation of a workgroup on nursing career   pathways and a panel on nursing program standards.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  NURSE AIDE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. (a)  The Texas   Board of Nursing and the Health and Human Services Commission shall   jointly develop an operational plan for transitioning the nurse   aide certification program from the Health and Human Services   Commission to the Texas Board of Nursing.  The study must include   all financial, operational, and other relevant considerations   necessary for the transition.          (b)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the Texas Board of   Nursing and the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit   the plan developed under this section to the governor, the   lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,   and each standing committee of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over nursing.          SECTION 2.  NURSING CAREER PATHWAYS. (a)  The Texas Center   for Nursing Workforce Studies shall establish and oversee a   workgroup to assess the feasibility of better aligning the   certification and career pathways of nurse aides, medication aides,   and personal care technicians into the nursing profession.          (b)  The workgroup must include:                (1)  the executive head of each of the following   entities, or that person's designated representative:                      (A)  the Texas Board of Nursing;                      (B)  the Health and Human Services Commission;                      (C)  the Texas Workforce Commission;                      (D)  the Texas Education Agency; and                      (E)  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board; and                (2)  relevant academic or health care professionals.          (c)  In conducting the assessment under this section, the   workgroup shall consider and evaluate:                (1)  the standards, regulations, and laws currently   impacting the nursing profession;                (2)  the feasibility of alignment in certification   requirements for nurse aides, medication aides, and personal care   technicians to minimize duplicative efforts in the educational   pathways in nursing; and                (3)  the present and future impact of new business   practices and advancing technologies in health care.          (d)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the workgroup   established under this section shall submit a report summarizing   the results of the assessment conducted under this section to the   governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of   representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature   with primary jurisdiction over nursing.          SECTION 3.  GOLD RIBBON PANEL ON THE FUTURE OF NURSING. (a)   In this section, "board" means the Texas Board of Nursing.          (b)  The board, in consultation with the Texas Center for   Nursing Workforce Studies, shall oversee a gold ribbon panel to   review and examine the current nursing program standards and   educational and other accreditation requirements to identify any   changes needed to prepare for the future of the nursing profession.     The panel consists of not more than 13 members appointed by the   governor as follows:                (1)  one member who is a registered nurse;                (2)  one member who is a licensed vocational nurse;                (3)  one member who is an advanced practice registered   nurse;                (4)  three members representing nursing education   programs, with at least one representing each of the following:                      (A)  an associate degree program;                      (B)  a baccalaureate degree program; and                      (C)  a nursing program provided by a private   institution of higher education;                (5)  three members representing hospitals, including   representation of at least three of the following:                      (A)  a hospital in a rural community;                      (B)  a hospital in an urban community;                      (C)  a trauma hospital;                      (D)  a teaching hospital; and                      (E)  a children's hospital; and                (6)  not more than four members with relevant   experience representing alternative practice settings such as a   nursing home, a community health clinic, or at-home health.          (c)  Not later than the 60th day after the date the panel is   appointed, the board shall publish on the board's Internet website   and in the Texas Register a request for written comments regarding   nursing program standards and educational and other accreditation   requirements from stakeholders in nursing programs and the nursing   profession.  The board shall forward relevant comments to the   panel.          (d)  The board shall assist the panel in conducting at least   three public hearings in accessible locations to obtain oral and   written comments regarding nursing program standards and   educational and other accreditation requirements.  The board shall   provide notice of the hearings in the manner provided by Chapter   551, Government Code, and on the board's Internet website.          (e)  The panel is a governmental body for purposes of   Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code.          (f)  In conducting the review under this section, the panel   shall evaluate and consider:                (1)  innovative nursing industry programs across the   United States, in the military, and in other countries;                (2)  published literature regarding effective methods   for educating and regulating nurses that result in measurable   improved outcomes; and                (3)  the effect on the practice of nursing of changes   in:                      (A)  technology that impacts the nursing   profession;                      (B)  the role of nurses in health practice; and                      (C)  nursing education, including the teaching of   soft skills and patient interaction.          (g)  The board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board shall provide administrative support to the panel.          (h)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the panel shall submit   a report summarizing the results of the review under this section   and including the panel's recommendations to the governor, the   lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,   and each standing committee of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over nursing.          SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2027.          SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September   1, 2025.