HB 1420

relating to a study on nurse-to-patient ratios for critical care
patients in health care facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  (a) In this section:
(1)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
(2)  "Critical care" means medical care for an
individual who has a life-threatening injury or illness.
(3)  "Direct care registered nurse" means a registered
nurse licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing to engage in
professional nursing under Chapter 301, Occupations Code, who has
accepted a direct, hands-on patient care assignment to implement
medical and nursing regimens and provide related clinical
(b)  The commission, in consultation with the United States
Department of Health and Human Services, shall conduct a study to
evaluate the outcomes and efficacy of limiting the number of
patients whose severity of illness requires  critical care at a
health care facility and who are assigned to a direct care
registered nurse at any given time.
(c)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall
prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a written
report containing the results of the study and any recommendations
for legislative or other action.  The commission shall post the
report on the commission's Internet website.
SECTION 2.  This Act expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 3.  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, 2025.