HBA-MPM H.B. 2650 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2650
By: Capelo
Public Health
7/3/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus
(HCV).  According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 8,000 to
10,000 Americans die each year from hepatitis C and approximately four
million others have been infected with HCV.  Most HCV infected persons are
between 30 and 49 years of age and are expected to develop chronic liver
disease as they age.  Consequently, the number of deaths attributable to
HCV could increase substantially during the next two decades.  It is
imperative that health care professionals such as licensed nurses are
knowledgeable about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis
C.  The Board of Nurse Examiners (board) may require licensed nurses to
complete as much as 20 hours of continuing education every two years to
maintain their license. House Bill 2650 requires the board to develop
hepatitis C continuing education training and requires licensed nurses to
complete at least two hours of continuing education instruction related to
hepatitis C as part of the 20 hours.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2650 amends the Occupations Code to require a licensed nurse who
renews a license on or after June 1, 2002 to participate in at least two
hours of continuing education related to hepatitis C in a twoyear licensing
period.  The bill requires the Board of Nurse Examiners to recognize,
prepare, or administer a hepatitis C training component for use in
continuing education for licensed nurses.  The bill provides that the
training component must provide information relating to the prevention,
assessment, and treatment of hepatitis C.  These provisions expire June 1,
2004. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 15, 2001.  The Act applies to continuing education offered on or after
June 1, 2002.