83R7968 KKR-D
 
  By: Uresti S.B. No. 1754
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certification and recertification requirements for
  emergency services personnel.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (m) to read as follows:
         (m)  The advisory council shall create and provide to the
  commissioner a list of recommended standardized training programs
  and standardized certification examinations to be used by the
  department to create a statewide standardized training and
  examination program for emergency medical services personnel. The
  council shall ensure that:
               (1)  each included standardized training program is
  consistent with the emergency medical services education standards
  of the United States Department of Transportation or of another
  emergency medical services agency specified by the commissioner;
  and
               (2)  each included standardized certification
  examination:
                     (A)  examines material comparable to the material
  examined in tests conducted by national testing organizations that
  certify emergency medical services personnel;
                     (B)  is based on the education standards described
  in Subdivision (1);
                     (C)  includes procedures to test practical skills
  proficiency; and
                     (D)  is certified as valid by an organization the
  council determines is capable of determining testing procedure and
  testing content validity.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0541 to read as follows:
         Sec. 773.0541.  CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION
  REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. (a)  The
  commissioner shall consider and approve not more than three
  statewide standardized certification examinations that are
  included in the list recommended by the advisory council under
  Section 773.012(m) for the certification and recertification of
  emergency medical services personnel.  A standardized
  certification examination approved by the commissioner must meet
  the requirements specified in that subsection.
         (b)  In establishing minimum standards under Section
  773.050, the commissioner shall establish standards for the
  recertification of emergency medical services personnel that
  include the following options:
               (1)  passing an examination approved by the
  commissioner;
               (2)  completing the continuing education requirements
  established by the department, which may not exceed the maximum
  number of education hours required for initial certification;
               (3)  holding a current certification issued by a
  national certification organization approved by the commissioner;
  and
               (4)  successfully completing a formal recertification
  course that complies with the minimum hours and standards
  established by the department.
         SECTION 3.  Section 773.056, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 773.056.  APPROVAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMS; CERTIFICATION
  OF INSTRUCTORS, EXAMINERS, AND COORDINATORS.  (a) The department
  shall approve one or more statewide standardized training programs
  that:
               (1)  are included in the list recommended by the
  advisory council under Section 773.012(m);
               (2)  are consistent with the emergency medical services
  education standards of the United States Department of
  Transportation or of another emergency medical services agency
  specified by the commissioner; and
               (3)  meet [each course or training program that meets]
  the minimum standards adopted under Section 773.050.
         (b)  The department shall issue a certificate to each program
  instructor, examiner, or course coordinator who meets the [minimum]
  standards adopted under Subsection (a) [Section 773.050]. The
  certificate is valid for two years. The department shall charge a
  fee of not more than $10 to replace a lost or stolen certificate.
         SECTION 4.  (a)  Not later than March 1, 2014, the advisory
  council appointed under Section 773.012, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act, shall compile and provide to the commissioner of
  state health services the list of standardized training programs or
  standardized certification examinations for emergency medical
  services personnel as required by Section 773.012(m), Health and
  Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2014, the commissioner of
  state health services shall approve a statewide standardized
  certification examination for emergency medical services personnel
  as required by Section 773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by
  this Act.
         (c)  Not later than September 1, 2014, the commissioner of
  state health services shall approve statewide standardized
  training programs for emergency medical services personnel and
  establish the standards for recertification of emergency medical
  services personnel, as required under Section 773.0541, Health and
  Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         (d)  Not later than September 1, 2014, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall:
               (1)  adopt rules required to implement Section
  773.0541, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and
               (2)  adopt rules required to implement Section 773.056,
  Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.
         (e)  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an
  emergency medical services personnel certification or
  recertification application submitted on or after September 1,
  2014.  An application submitted before that date is governed by the
  law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act and
  that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.